Quarter Millennial 



CELEBRATION 



CITY OF TAUNTON, 



MASSACHUSETTS, 



Tuesday and Wednesday, June 4 and 5, 



1889. 




Taunton, Massachusetts : 

Published i;v the City Government. 

1889. 



9 O'OO 



PRESS OF 

CHARLES H. BUFFINGTON, 

TAUNTON. 



To the Honorable City Council of the City of Taunton : 

The committee appointed to publish a History of the Cele- 
bration of the 250th Anniversary of the Founding of Taunton re- 
spectfully submit this volume as a result of their labors. 

The initiatory proceedings relative to this celebration were 
commenced by the City Council in April, 1886, when a committee 
was appointed to confer with a delegation from the Old Colony 
Historical Society relative to deciding upon the year in which the 
celebration should take place. This committee reported in Octo- 
ber, recommending that the year 1889 be selected, that being the 
250th year from the founding of Taunton according to the most 
reliable information obtained by the committee. This recommen- 
dation was adopted and the following year an order was passed, 
appointing the 4th and 5th of June as the days on which the cele- 
bration should be held. 

In January, 1888, an order was adopted authorizing His Honor 
the Mayor, on behalf of the City, to petition the Legislature for 
leave to expend the sum of $5,000 in this celebration, which peti- 
tion was granted and in February, 1889, an order was passed by 
the City Council appropriating that amount for the above purpose. 

A full and exhaustive account of the proceedings during the 
celebration will be found in the following pages. 

We desire to express our full appreciation of the valuable ser- 
vices rendered by the committee on the part of the Old Colony 
Historical Society, Hon. Wm. E. Fuller, James H. Dean, Esq., 
and Rev. S. Hopkins Emery in collecting and preparing the matter 
for publication. 

Richard Henry Hall, Mayor, Ripley W. Townsend, 
Edward H. Temple, E. Clarence Holt, 

Charles S. Anthony, Alden H, Blake, 

Edward A. Fay. 



COMMITTEES APPOINTED ON BEHALF OF 
THE CITY GOVERNMENT: 

COMMITTEE 1886. 

Mayor Richard Henry Hall. 

Aldermen. 

Daniel Carey, Henry W. Colby. 

President George H. Rhodes. 

Conncilnian John H. Eldridge. 

COMMITTEE 1887. 

Mayor Everett D. Godfrey. 

Aldermen. 

Francis S. Babbitt, Henry W. Colby. 

President Ripley W. Townsend. 

Councilmen. 

Charles S. Anthony, E. Clarence Holt, 

Crysis T. Scott. 

committee 1888. 

Mayor Richard Henry Hall. 

Aldermen. 

Charles S. Anthony, John H. Eldridge, 

President Ripley W. Townsend. 

Conneilmen. 

E. Clarence Holt, Alden H. Blake, 

Edward A. Fay. 

committee 1889. 

Mayor Richard Henry Hall. 

Aldermen. 

Edwarj) H. Temple, Charles S. Anthony, 

President Ripley W. Townsend. 

Co7i)ieilmen. 

E. Clarence Holt, Alden H. Blake, 

Edward A. Fay. 



CITY GOVERNMENT, 1889. 



Mayor. 
Richard Henry Hall. 

AldciDicn. 
Edward H. Temi-lk, Chainiiait. 
Edward H. Temple, Bexjamix Morris, 

Charles S. Anthony, Arthur K. Williams, 

A. Gilbert Willl\ms, George N. Elmes, 

G. Arthur Llncoln, William McAusland, 

Edwlx a. Tetlow, Clerk. 



Couuiion Coinitil. 
Ripley W. Towxsend, President. 

Herbert N. Pierce, Marcus A. Dary. 

J. Alered Messinger, Albert M. Clark, 

Alden H. Blake, James H. Lincoln, 

E. Clarence Holt, Thomas E. Hoye, 

John T. Eranks, Erederick V. Brown, 

Willis K. Hodgman, Charles L. Johnson, 

WiNTHROP A. Robinson, Erederick E. Austin, 

Gustavus T. EisHER, John A. McDonald, 

Edward A. Eay, *Dayid Johnson, 

Henry A. Short, Erederick A. Walker 

Charles E. Mason, John C. Einn, 

Noah Lemaire, (}e()R(;e I-Lllam, 

Joseph R. Tallman, Clerk. 



NOTE OF COMMITTEE ON PUBLICATION. 



Charged with the care of preparing for publication the 
l^roceedings of the Two Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary 
of Taunton, the committee wish, first of all, to express the 
general feeling of gratification in the favor with which the 
celebration was regarded by the thousands of visiting- 
friends. Numerous letters have been received, congratulat- 
ing the city on the success of the first memorial occasion in 
its history. 

The design of this publication is to reproduce and pre- 
serve on the printed jiage all which was said and done dur- 
ing these two memorable days, for the instruction and bene- 
fit of the coming generations. There is no attempt to go 
beyond these prescribed limits. It is hoped the book, such 
as it is, may suggest to some future historian a more com- 
I^lete account of the ancient Taunton, than has ever yet 
been i:>roduced. 

Sa.mukl Hopkins Kmekv, \ Committee on 
Wi[,LiAM luuiY Fui.LEK, > Publication 
J.wiEs Henkv Dean, ) of Proceedings. 



NTRODUCTORY NOTICE. 



The first suggestion during the two centuries and a 
half of Taunton's distinct existence as a town and city of 
a suitable observance of the anniversary of its birth, 
occurred, so far as the records show, on this wise : — 

Taunton, July 20, 1885. 

At a meeting of the Old Colony Historical Society, Samuel 
Hopkins Emery offered the following Preamble and Resolution : — 

Whereas, the time is near, when the two hundred and 
fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of the most ancient towns 
of the Old Colony should be appropriately observed and whereas 
it is fitting that the Old Colony Historical Society should call 
attention to the observance and take the initiatory steps thereto, 
Therefore, 

Resolved, That William E. Fuller, Henry Williams, Edmund 
H. Bennett, Timothy Gordon, Charles A. Reed, Edgar H. Reed 
and James H. Dean be a committee of the Society to consider the 
whole subject of such an observance and to report, as early as 
they may be able, the exact dates of the settlement and incor|3ora- 
tion of these towns and to recommend some form of com- 
memorating their beginning whether as settled or incorporated.* 

*U was in the mind or the mover of this Resolution to communicate with the 
towns of the Ohl Colony which in their settlement antedated Taunton vix. Duxhury 
and Scituate, which he accordingly did, suggesting a suitahle ol)servan<!e. Duxhur>» 
at its annual meeting^ April 4, 1887, voted to celebrate and fixed on the 17th of June, 
of that year as the day- Justin Winsor, whose parents were natives of the town 
delivered the historical address and Governors Long and Ames, President Hoardman 
of the Senate, Speaker Noyes of the House, Secretary Peirce and other distinguished 
men honored the occasion with their presence and were heard at the Ban(iuet. The 
observance of the day was a great success. This good example has been followed by 
other towns— by Sandwich and Yarmouth, Tuesday the .3d of Septeni))er. 188'.). 



S QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

After extended remarks from Mr. Emery and others, the 
Preamble and Resolution were unanimously adopted, an 
amendment being- made thereto by adding the name of S. 
Hopkins Emery as chairman to the list of names pro- 
posed in the Resolution. 

The first meeting of this committee was held in what 
was then Cedar Street Chapel, now Historical Hall, Oct. ^d, 
1885. Present, the chairman, S. Hopkins Emery, P^dmund 
H. Bennett, William E. Fuller, Henry Williams, Charles A. 
Reed, Edgar H. Reed. William E. Fuller was " chosen 
secretary. It was voted, that some appropriate observance 
of the approaching 250th Anniversary of the settlement of 
Taunton be provided for. Panther discussion followed, 
chiefly upon the question of time when the community of 
Cohannet first obtained recognition by the General Court at 
New Plymouth, as a corporate body, no distinct act of In- 
corporation having been found in the records of Plymouth 
Colony. 

Committee adjourned to meet at the same place, Oct. 10. 

At the adjourned meeting, Oct. 10, after considerable 
discussion, on motion of Edmund H. Bennett, it was voted, 
to report to the Society the recommendation that the City 
Government be requested to appoint a committee of confer- 
ence to consider the question not only oi time but the whole 
subject of an observance, such as is contemplated. 

At the quarterly meeting of the Old Colony Plistorical 
Society, held Oct. 20, such a report was made, its recom- 
mendation was adopted, the Society's committee continued 
with authority to act in concert with any committee the City 
Government might appoint. 

So near the close of the city's municipal year, it did not 
seem best to call the attention of the City Government to the 
subject, and it was not till April 7, 1886, the committee of 



IXTKODL'CTOKV NOTICE. 9 

the Old Colony Historical Society passed the following vote : 

That the City Government of Taunton be requested to 
appoint a committee of its own members to act in confer- 
ence with the committee heretofore appointed by the Old 
Colony Mistorical Society to take into consideration the mat- 
ter of celebrating the 250th Anniversary of Taunton and 
that the President be requested to lay the matter before the 
Mayor at the earliest opportunity. 

This was accordingly done and soon after, the attention 
of the City Government was called to the subject and a 
committee of conference was appointed, consisting of the 
Ma)'or, R. Henry Hall, Aldermen Daniel Carey and Henry 
W. Colby, President George H. Rhodes of the Council and 
Councilman John H. PLldridge. 

April 20, 1886, the first meeting of the Joint Com- 
mittee was held in the City Hall, Mayor Hall being in the 
chair. William E. Fuller was chosen secretary. 

On motion of S. Hopkins P2mery, it was unanimously 
\oted, that in the opinion of this Joint Committee, it is desir- 
able to observe by appropriate ceremonies the 250th An- 
niversary of the founding of Taunton. 

On motion of P^dmund H. Bennett, and after much dis- 
cussion, it was voted, that, in the opinion of this committee, 
we should recommend the year 1889 as the time when 
such anniversary may be properly celebrated. No other 
business was transacted. 

It being decided, notwithstanding the purchase and 
settlement of I'aimton b}' the name of Cohannet, early as 
1637, that it was best to defer the observance of the 250th 
Anniversary of its founding till such a time as it was repre- 
sented by deputies in the General Court at Plymouth, under 
the name of Taunton in 1639, no further meetings of the 
Joint Committee were held during the year 1886, only Oct. 



lO QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

5th, to order a report to their respective constituencies, 
recommending that some day in 1889 be observed as the 
250th Anniversary of the founding of Taunton. 

Oct. II, 1886, William E. Fuller, secretary of the com- 
mittee of the Old Colony Historical Society, reported to the 
Society, when the committee was continued and made a 
permanent committee, with instructions to make further 
needed arrangements for the proposed celebration and with 
authority to fill vacancies, enlarge its number and appoint 
sub-committees for special service. 

In 1887, the City Government was represented in the 
Joint Committee by Mayor Everett D. Godfrey, Aldermen 
Francis S. Babbitt, Henry W. Colby, President Ripley W. 
Townsend of the Council and Councilmen Charles S. 
Anthony, E. Clarence Holt and Crysis T. Scott. 

The first meeting of the Joint Committee was held 
June 4th and S. Hopkins Emery was chosen secretary. 

On motion of the secretary, the procedings of previous 
years on the subject of a celebration were ratified by this 
committee and accepted as authority for still further action 
toward the proposed observance of the founding of Taunton 
sometime in 1889. 

On motion of Charles A. Reed, Mayor Hall, S. Hopkins 
Emery and James H. Dean were appointed a committee tt) 
name historic places in the territory of ancient Taunton and 
suggest suitable memorial tablets or inscriptions. 

On motion of Alderman Babbitt, voted, that the Mayor 
be authorized to seek the co-operation of adjacent towns, 
which once formed a part of Taunton. 

On suggestion of the Mayor, it was moved by President 
Townsend of the Council, seconded by Councilman Anthony, 
and voted, that the portion of this committee representing 
the Old Colony Historical Society be requested to suggest 



INTKOJIUCTOKY NOTICE. II 

the name or names of one or more persons, in their judg- 
ment suitable to prepare an address or addresses on the 
occasion of the proposed celebration. 

The committee did nt)t meet again until Nov. 22, 1887, 
when the name of Edmund II. Bennett was suggested as 
the proper person to deliver the historical address and he 
was accordingly chosen. 

The committee also fi.xed on Tuesday the 4th day of 
June, 1889, as the day for the celebration, not only as being 
in a pleasant season of the year, but, particularly as com- 
memorating the First General Assembly in Plymouth 
Colony, when towns for the first time sent deputies to Ply- 
mouth for legislative purposes, Taunton being one of the 
number. 

The committee voted, to ask the City Council, to 
secure, if necessary, special legislation the coming winter, 
for authority to appropriate money for the purposes of the 
celebration. 

In 1888, the City Government was represented in the 
Joint Committee by Mayor R. Henry Hall, Aldermen 
Charles S. Anthony, John H. Eklridge, Councilmen, Ripley 
\V. Townsend, President, Alden H. Blake, lidward A. P"ay 
and \i. Clarence Holt. 

llie first meeting was held Jan. 18. The secretary of 
last year was reappointed and all former j)roceedings rati- 
fied. Five thousand dollars was the sum fixed upon to ask 
the Council for authority from the Legislature to appro- 
I)raite. 

lulmund H. Bennett signified his acceptance of appoint- 
ment for the historical address. 

It was voted to meet again soon, and secure so far as 
possible a representation from the Bcjard of Selectmen of 
the si.x adjoining t(nvns, Raynham, Berkley, Dighton, Nor- 



12 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

ton, Mansfield and Easton, for consultation and conference. 

This meeting was held Feb. ii, when the Mayor read 
the letter of invitation to the selectmen of the six adjoining 
towns to be present for consultation as to the proposed cele- 
bration. The town of Easton was represented by Messrs. 
Hiram Williams and Henry W. Heath. No other towns 
responded. 

After a full consideration of the part which it was 
desired the six adjoining towns should take in this celebra- 
tion, on motion of the secretary, it was unanimously voted 
that the Joint Committee on the 250th Anniversary of the 
founding of Taunton hereby request the six adjoining- 
towns, which once formed a part of Taunton, to appoint at 
their coming town meetings, committees authorized to con- 
fer with this committee and to act in their behalf, in conceit 
with it. 

At this meeting, Henry W. Colby was chosen Poet for 
the day of celebration. 

The next meeting of the conmiittee was May 26. 
Henry Williams, of the committee representing the Old 
Colony Historical Society, having died, and Timothy Gor- 
don, resigned, John W. D. Hall and Henry M. Lovering were 
appointed in their place and were present at the meeting. 
There were also present from Dighton, Whitman Chase, 
George E. Gooding, Alfred W. Paul ; from Easton, Hiram 
Williams ; from Norton, Isaac F. Braman, George H. Talbot; 
from Raynham, T. B. Johnson, Stephen R. Lincoln, Damon 
D. White. Mansfield was not represented. 

Henry W. Colby signified his acceptance of appoint- 
ment as Poet. 

The committee on memorial tablets was enlarged by 
adding John W. D. Hall and William E. Fuller from Taun- 
ton, and one from each of the six adjoining towns — Alfred 



INTRODUCTORY NOTICE. 1$ 

W. Paul, from Dighton ; William L. Chaffin from Easton ; 
Joseph W. White, from Raynham ; Elkanah Hall, from 
Mansfield ; Austin Messinger, from Norton; Giles L. Leach, 
from Berkley. This enlarged committee was busy during 
the year, and made reports at meetings held Aug. 23 and 
Dec. 29. 

The City Government was represented in the Joint 
Committee in 1889, by Mayor R. Henry Hall, Aldermen 
Edward H. Temple, Charles S. Anthony, Ripley W. Town- 
send, President of the Council, Councilmen Alden H. 
Blake, Edward A. P'ay, E. Clarence Holt and Ex-Selectmen 
Cornelius White and Nathan S. Williams. The committee 
of the Old Colony Historical Society was enlarged by the 
addition of Alfred B. Hodges and George A. Washburn. 

At the first meeting of the committee, January 28, all 
past proceedings were accepted and ratified. 

S. Hopkins Emery, the secretary of the past two years 
was re-chosen. The committee on historic places and tablets 
was re-appointed, with the addition of Edgar H. Reed. 

It was voted to take two days for the celebration, Tues- 
day and Wednesday the 4th and 5th of June, 1889. Also, 
to appoint a committee, of which the Mayor should be chair- 
man, to report program for the two days and a list of sub- 
committees to carry out the proposed program. 

The secretary was requested to call the attention of the 
clergy of Taunton and the surrounding towns to the cele- 
bration and suggest discourses and other exercises on the 
Sabbath preceding, suited to the occasion. 

On the 4th of P^bruary, John E. San ford was chosen 
toastmaster, who subsequently declined to serve and William 
H. Fox was chosen. 

At a meeting held the 23d of February, Henry M. 
Lovering was chosen chief marshal, by acclamation and a 



14 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEP.RATION. 

committee heretofore appointed, reported throug'h its chair- 
man, the Mayor, a program for the two days' celebration 
and a list of sub-committees required by that program. 

The report was substantially agreed to, the same ap- 
pearing in the lists of committees hereafter given and the 
proceedings of the two days published in this book. 

The Joint Committee have held twenty meetings, ar- 
ranging for the celebration, and these meetings have been 
characterized by the utmost harmony and a common desire 
to make the celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the 
founding of Taunton memorable in the annals of the Old 
Colony of Plymouth and the Commonwealth of Massa- 
chusetts. 



15 



OFFICERS OF THE DAY. 



PRESIDENT OF THE DAY. 

Richard Henry Hall, Mayor of Taunton. 

vice presidents from taunton. 
William H. Bent, Charles H. Learoyd, 

William H. Fox, Charles L. Loverino, 

William E. Fuller, Silas D. Presbrey. 

vice presidents from the six adjoining towns. 
Norton, Austin Messinger, 
Dighton, George E. Gooding, 
Easton, Oakes A. Ames, 
Raynham, Nathan W. Shaw, 
Berkley^ Giles L. Leach, 
Mansfield, Erastus M. Reed. 



JOINT GENERAL COMMITTEE 

Representing the City Governjnent and the Old Colony Historieal 
Society. 

R. Henry Hall, Mayor, Chairman. 
S. Hopkins Emery, Secretary. 
Edward H. Temple, Edmund H. Bennett, 

Charles S. Anthony, James H. Dean, 

Ripley W. Townsend, William E. Fuller, 

Alden H, Blake, Charles A. Reed, 

Edward A. Fay, Edgar H. Reed, 

E. Clarence Holt, John W. D. Hall, 

Cornelius White, Henry M. Lovering, 

Nathan S. Williams, Alfred B. Hodges, 

George A. Washburn. 



[6 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

SUB COMMITTEES. 



Committee on Historic Places and Memorial Tablets. 

R. Henry Hall, Chairman. 

John W. 1). Hall, Secretary. 

James H. Dean, S. Hopkins Emery, 

William E. Fuller, Edciar H. Reed. 

All of Taunton. 

Samuel A. Chapin, ^ iAw-Aw. 
Alfred W. Paul, of Dighton. 
William L. Chaffin, of Easton. 
Joseph W. Whii-e, of Raynhani. 
Giles L. Leach, (t/" Berkley. 
Elkanah Hall, of Man sp eld. 

Committee on Finance. 

R. Henry Hall, Chairman. 

George A. Washburn, Secretary. 

Henry M. Lovering. 

Cotntnittee on InvitatioJi of Guests. 

R. Henry Hall, Chairman. 

S. Hopkins Emery, Secretary. 
William E. Fuller, John W. D. Hall, 

Henry M, Lovering, George A. Washburn. 

Committee on Reception of the Press. 

William Reed, Jr., Chairman. 

William F. Greenough, Secretary. 

William F. Kennedy. 

Committee on Salute and Bell Ringing. 
E. Clarence Holt. 

Committee on Piildication of Proceedings. 

S. Hopkins Emery, Chairman. 

James H. Dean, Secretary. 

William E. Fuller. 



sri! COMMITTEES. 1/ 

Comniittcc on Decorations. 

Edward H. Tkmpi.e, Chairman and Secretary. 
Francis S. Babbitt, Nathaniel J. Grossman, 

Hkri'.eki L. Peck, Herbert T. Washburn. 

Conini/ttec on I oca/ and Instntniental Music. 

Charles L. Ldvkrinc, Chairman. 

Walter M. Duxbar, Secretary. 

(iEoRCE I'ridgham, Leander Soule, 

Mrs. a. Clinton Rhodes. 

Committee on Banquet. 

Charles S. Anthony, Chairman. 

RiPLEV W. TowNSEND, Secretary. 

Edward F. Gallioan, Georce H. Rhodes, 

Joseph S. Tidd. 

Committee on Ball. 

Frederick Mason, Chairman. 
Joseph R. Tallman, Secretary. 
Charles P. Foster, John H. Galligan, 

Edwin A. Tetlow, RJpley W. Townsend, 

Alfred B. Sproat, James C. Sproat. 

Committee on Printin}::;. 

Edwin A. Tetlow, Chairman. 

Geor(;e a. Washburn, Secretary. 

S. Hopkins Emery, Silas I). Presbrey. 

Alp.ert E. Swasey. 

Committee on Carriai^cs and Transportation. 

John H. Church, Chairman. 

Byron F. Kingsbury, Secretary. 

Ai.DEN H. Blake, Edward A. V.w, 

Joseph L. Macomber, Jr, 



l8 QUARTER MILI.F.XNIAL CELEBRATIOK. 

Connnittei on J\ira(Ii\ 
Henry M. Loverinc;, Chief Marshal, CIniirvmn. 
Harrison A. Cushman, Secretary. 
Orville a. Barker. Leonard B. Higc;ins, 

William H. Bent, Alfred B. Hodges, 

Henry G. Brownell, Charles L. Loverinc. 

George W. Colp.y, Henry C. Perry. 

Abner Coleman, Henry G. Reed, 

N. Bradford Dean, George E. Wilbur, 

Henry A. Dickerman, Philander Williams, 

Solon R. Wright. 

Comviittce on Fire Works. 

E. Clarence Holt, Chairman. 

James A. Tinkham, Secretary. 

Charles S. Anthony, John J. Barker. 

Daniel Carey. 

Committee on Tableaux. 
William R. Billings, Chairman and Secretary. 
Albert L. Carpenter. James H. Dean, 

William C. Loverinc;. James C. Sbroat, 

Albert E. Swasey, Harry H. Townsend. 

Committee on Location of School Chihtren. 

Geor(;e C. Capron. Chairinan and Secretary. 

George Bridgham, Edward H. Temple, 

Edward A. Fay, F. Arthur Walker. 

Committee on Halh. 

Alden H. Blake, Chai/?nafi. 

John H. Eloridge, Secretary. 

JOHN C. Walker. 



sun COMMITTEES. ^ 1 9 

Committee oti Loan Exhibit. 
John W. D. Hall, Chairman. 
S. Hopkins Emery, Secretary. 
John F. Mon tcomerv. 
Mrs. Nathalie E. Baylies, Mrs. Henry M. Loverinc, 

Mrs. Georoe Brakrook, Mrs. Charles L. Loverlnc, 

Mrs. Walter J. Clemson, Mrs. Frederick Mason, 

Mrs. Joseph J. Cooper. Mrs. Thompson Newiu-ry, 

Mrs. Joseph Dunbar, Mrs. John Paul, 

Mrs. Frank L. Fish, Mrs. Joseph Philbrick, 

Mrs. Frederick L. Fish. Mrs. Henry G. Reed, 

Mrs. R. Henry Hall, Mrs. S. R. Townsend, 

Mrs. Elisha T. Jackson, Miss Adeline S. Baylies, 

Miss Sarah B. Williams, 

[The above from Taunton.] 

Miss Harriot A. Newcomb, Norton. 
Mrs. Ebenezer Andrews, Mrs. Mary C. Rose, Dighton. 
Mrs. John O. Dean, Mrs. Olive J. Gilmore, Easton. 
Miss Amy Leonard, Mrs. Alcott E, Lincoln, Raynham. 
Mrs. Alfred Boardman, Mrs. Charles Corey, Berkley. 
Mansfield was not represented. 

Coiiimitfrr on Fhnuers. 

Miss Annie Andros, Mrs. C. H. Lincoln, 

Mrs. J. J. Barker, Mrs. Alfred Messinger, 

Mrs, O. a. Barker, Mrs. F. H. Miett, 

Mrs, Daniel Care^-, Mrs, C. E. Monroe, 

Mrs. W'. J. Clemson, Mrs. J. F, Montoomery, 

Miss Alice G. Colby, Mrs. O. S, Pai(;e, 

Mlss Maria Ccjnverse, Miss Annie Paul, 

Mrs. H. L. Davis, Miss Charlotte L. Peckham, 

Mrs. a. N. Dyer, Mrs. A,' C. Rhodes, 

Miss Alice Lane, Miss Annie Woodward. 



20 



OL'ARTKK MII.I.EXXIAI. CEI.KIiRATlOX. 



CommHtce on Reception of Guests. 

R. Henry Hall, Mayor, Chainnau. 
S. Hopkins Emkrv, Secretary. 
Charlks S. AN^H()N^, Edward H. 1'kmi' 

RuM.KV W. TowNSKXD, President of the Council. 



Aldkx H. Blaki 

Cornelius Whiik, 
Kd-MI.'nd H. Bennkit, 
W'lLLLAM E. Fuller. 
Alfred B. Hodoes, 
Charles A. Reed, 



E. Clarence He 



Edward A Y\\. 

Nathan S. ^^'ILLLA^L^ 
James H. Deax, 
John W. I). Hall, 
Henry M. Loverixo 
Edciar H. Reed, 



C/Eorc.e a. Washbitrx. 



CiE()R(;e N. Elmes, 

\\'ILLL\M MCAUSLAXD, 
A. GlLBERl' \\'ILLL\-MS. 



Frederick E. >Austix, 
Albert M. Clark, 
George El lam, 
Gustavus T. Fisher, 
Willis K. Hodomax, 
Charles L. Johnsox, 
Noah Lemaire, 
John A. Macdoxald, 
Herbert N. Pierce, 
Henry A. Short, 



Aldermen. 



Couiicihne?!. 



G. Arthur Lincol> 
Benjamin Morris, 
Arthur K. \\'ii.i.iam> 



Frederick V. Brown, 
Marcus A. Dary, 
John C. Finn, 
John T. Franks, 
Thomas F. Hoye, 
^David Johnson, 
James H. Lincoln, 
J. Alfred Messincer, 
Winthrop a. Robinson, 
Frederick A. \\'alker. 



Charles E. Mason. 

Additioiiat Members from Taiiiitoii. 

Frederick W. Abbott. Arthur M. Aloer, 

Ebenezer C. Arnold, Henr\ D. Atwood, 

George H. Babbitt, Francis S. BAiiBiii, 

Anson J. Barker, Orville A. Barker, 

Henry P. Barstow. Josiah C. r3ARTLETT. 

♦Deceased. 



21 



Cotnmiftec on Riucption of Criirsts Continiicd. 



HkNK\ F. liASSKI 1. 

William R. Black, 
Alfred Brakrook., 
Isaac B. Brkkis, 
John P. Brown, 
Anski. O. Buri', 
Hopkins B. Cadv. 
Daniel Carkv, 
John H. Church, 
WiLLLAM B. Church, 
Walikr J. Clemscjn, 
HK\k^ W. Colby, 
William Cox, 
Henry S. Culver. 
James M. Cushman, 
Seth L. Cushman, 
Edwin A. Dary, 
Ezra Davol, 
N. Bradford Dean, 
Samuel A. Dean, 
Jeremy H. Dennetl, 
John H. KLDRiDciE, 
Thomas C). Falvev, 
John P. Forbes. 
William H. Fox. 

EVEREir 1). CoDFKEV, 

Christopher .A. Hack. 
Frederick S. Hall. 
Charles F. Hanson, 
Hen in .S. Haki. 
John I'. Hawkins. 
Leonakii ]!. HiiiciNs. 
Geouok F. Howaku, 
Frank A. Hup.BAku, 
Elisha T. Jackson, 
Charles Y. Iohnsox, 



William H. 1!ent. 
William F. Hodfisii, 
Georoe Brabrook, 
James Brown, 
Charles H. Buffincton, 
L. ('lovis Bussiere, 
Geor(;e C. Capron, 
CtEor(;e F. Chace, 
LkBaron B. Church, 
Naihan Clark. 
(Ieorck W. CoLB^, 
Pkikr H. ('orr, 
Naihaniel J. Grossman, 
Charles Ci'Riis, 
HoRAiio L. Cushman, 
George P. Cutler, 
William C. Davenport, 
Charles R. Dean, 
Roberi S. Dean. 
Hem AN P. DeFokem. 
Horace W. Dur(;in. 
Abra.m D. Emery. 
Charles H. Field, 
("harles Fosier, 
Henry J. 1''ui.ler, 
TiMoiTn Gordon-. 
William AF IF\ii. 
HKknEKi E. Hall. 
EnwAki) (). Hart. 
John W. Hart. 
JosKi'H W. Han ward. 
Fdwix >F Hills. 

CiIARLLS '1'. FIUBBAKI). 

l-:Dw\ki. L. Hm.i:. 
I'jiw \kD N. Ji;xNLS. 
Elijah V . [ones. 



22 



QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 



Committee on Reception 

Howard A. L. Kinc, 
Joseph Maurice LaMojhe, 
Nathan Lawrence, 
Henry B. Leach, 
Lorenzo Lincoln. 
Charles L. Lovering, 
Donald Macdougall, 
Edward B. Maltby, 
Frederick Mason, 
John T. Meats, 
Erastus Morse, 
Geor(!e O. Morse, 
Edward Mori', 
Thompson Newbury, 
NoMus Paige, 
Abel W. Parker, 
John Paull, 
John B. Perkins, 
Joseph Philbrick, 
Alfred C Place, 
Franklin Pratt, 
George H. Reed, 
John D. Reed, 
Marcus M. Rhodes, 
Charles E. Richmond, 
John S. Sampson, 
John C. Sharp, Jr., 
Nathan H. Skinnek, 
Leander Soule, 
Abiel B. Staples, 
Albert E. Swasey, 
Edwin A. Tetlow, 
Charles Thornton, 
Elijah Tolman, 
Salmon Washburn, 
Lloyd E. White. 



of Guests Co7itinued. 

John Kittred(;e, 
Andrew J. Lawrence, 
Arunah a. Leach, 
Charles H. Learoyd, 
Thomas J. Lothrop, 
William C. Lovering, 
James T. Maher, 
Francis Mansfield, 
Joseph F. McDonough. 
Daniel L. Mitchell, 
Francis L. Morse, 
Henry W. Morse, 
Joseph Murphy, 
John O'Hearne, Jr., 
Onias S. Paige, 
Charles H. Paull, 
David D. Perkins, 
Parley L Perrin, 
William H. Phillips, 
William H. Pleadwell 
Silas D. Presbrey, 
Henry G. Reed, 
W^iLLiAM Reed, Jr., 
S. HoLBRooK Rhodes, 
James F. Roach, 
John E. Sanford. 
Zacheus Sherman, 
William J. Smith, 
Alfred V. Stall, 
Sylvanus N. Staples, 
John P. Swinerion, 
Sylvanus M. Thomas. 
E. Dawes Tisdale, 
Daniel A. Trefethen, 
Luther B. West, 
William L. White, 



SL'Ii COMMIT TKKS. 2j 

WiLt.iA.M L. Whiie, Jr., Joski'ii K. Wiir.Ak, 

Ai-KXANDER H. Williams, A. Kin(; Williams, 

Georce B. Williams, G. Edgar Williams, 

John R. Williams, Lewis WlLLlA^LS, 

Nathan Wil.marih, (^eorok C. Wilson, 

Joseph K. Wilson, Georce M. Woodward. 

Other nicmlnrs of the Com /ii it fee. 
/^ii^htoii, James H. Coddixc;, Charles N. Simmons, 
Berkley, Herbert A. Dean, Thomas Paul, 
Xortoii, Georoe R. Perky, Geor(;e H. Talisot. 

Easton, Manstield and Raynham failed to apppoint. 

\. 1). Some few names fail to appear on the lists of c(jm- 
mittees of such persons as felt obliged to decline serving. This 
statement is made to explain the absence of certain names, which 
might be looked for. 

Coiiiniittee of I'liblieattoii. 



24 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

PROCEEDINGS 

Oil the iiio riling of the I'irst Day in Music Hall. 



The Literary Exercises of the Anniversary were begun on 
the morning of June 4th, and proceeded in accordance with the 
following 

PROGRAMME: 

"GLORIA," from Mozart's Twelfth Mass., 

BEETHOVEN SOCIETY. 

PRAYER. 
Rev. SAMUEL HOPKINS EMEK\'. 

ADDRESS OF WELCOME. 

RICHARD HENRY HALL, Mavor. 

"The Heavens are Telling," from Creation, ----- Ifaydn. 
BEETHOVEN SOCIETY. 

HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 
Hon. EDMUND HATCH BENNETT. 

"Star-Spangled Banner," 

BEETHOVEN SOCIETY. 

POEM. 
HENRY WILLIAM COLBY, Es(.. 

CLOSING HYMN. 

■•America," 
BEEl'HOVEN SOCIETY AND AUDIENCE. 

Acciimpanieil hy Rkexks' Ami:rii\N 1!ami. 

BENEDICTION.] 
Rev. CHARLES HENRY LEAROYD. 



PROCEEDINGS AT MUSIC HALL 



On the morniui;- of the first day of the celebration 
Music Hall was crowded with spectators, the sta((e filled 
with officials and invited j^uests and the whole scene one of 
the grandest, perhaps in all respects the grandest, in the 
history of the cit\'. The proceedings were opened with the 
beautiful "Gloria" from Mozart's Twelfth Mass by the 
chorus and orchestra. It was magnificently performed. 

The Mayor then introduced Rev. S. Hopkins Emery as 
chaplain of the day, who said : 

Let me read a few words from tliat Blessed Book, which 
lias been the solace and strength of the fathers and mothers 
of New bjigland in all its generations — of the founders and 
first settlers of this ancient town and their childrens' child- 
ren down to the present time : 

We have heard with our ears, () God, our fathers have told 
us, what work thou didst in their days, in the days of old. Thou 
didst drive out the nations with thy hand and plantedst them in. 
For they gat not the land in possession by their own sword, 
neither did their own arm save them ; but thy right hand and thine 
arm and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a 
favour unto them. 

That which we have heard and known, and our fathers 
have told us, we will not hide from their children, telling 
to the generation to come, the praises of the Lord, and his 
strength and his wondrous works that he hath done. For he 
established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, 
wiiich he commanded our fathers, that they should make them 
known to their children, that the generation to come might know 
them, even the children which should be born, who should arise 



2b qUAKTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

and tell them to their children, that they might set their hope in 
God and not forget the works of God but keep his command- 
ments. 

The reading" of the Scripture lesson was followed by 
prayer : 

God of otu" fathers, we, their children and thy children, 
bow reverently and humbly before Thee on this glad day. 
We adore the riches of the Divine goodness in which our 
God hath passed before us and those who have preceded us 
in this place, lo, these two hundred and fifty years. We 
this day review these centuries of busy life and behold them 
crowded with tokens of (iod's care, guiding grace and 
abundant blessing. We unitedly bring our tribute of thanks- 
giving and praise. We thank Thee, Lord, for all the pre- 
cious memories which crowd these memorial days. We 
thank Thee for the re-union of long separated friends — for 
the rettu'n to the home circle of such as years ago went out 
from us. We thank Thee for the ct)ming of such as 
represent this Commonwealth and the sisterhood of states, 
in their various departments of government, in their industry 
and in their social life. We commend to Thee, merciful 
Father, our general government, our state government, the 
cities and towns in all this broad land, whilst in a very 
special manner our sujiplication is in behalf of our own city, 
its officers and its peo])le, that, as Thou hast been with us in 
the generations |xist. Thou wilt nexei' leave nor forsake in 
the generations to come. With the increase of our j)opula- 
tion ami the enlargement of material resources, grant, Lord, 
the still greater blessing of spiritual growth — a higher civili- 
zation — a nobler manhood and womanhood — a completer 
likeness in all who make our homes, to the perfect man, 
Christ Jesus. To this end, let all our schools and churches, 
and home training, household influences conform to the 
teachings of the Great Teacher and be under the inspiration 



mayor's address. 27 

and guidance of his most holy religion. Direct, Lord, in 
all which is said or done, this day and this hour. All which 
we ask in his most worthy name, who hath taught us to 
l)ray, saying. 

Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy 
name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth as 
it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And 
forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass 
against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us 
from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power and 
the glory for ever. Amen. 

His Honor, Mayor Richard Henry Hall, then wel- 
comed the sons and daughters, friends and visitors in the 
following words : 

MAYOR'S ADDRESS. 



Ladies and Gciitlciiun : — 

It falls to my pleasant lot to welcome you to the cele- 
bration of the founding of the ancient town of Taunton. 
Two hundred and fifty years on the page of the world's 
history seems but a trifle, and yet that same number of 
years in the history oi our own town carries us back to the 
earliest days of colonial life. How changed the scene. 
How different the condition of this locality — -its inhabitants, 
its industries and its relations. From a few scattered fami- 
lies, we have become a fl(Hirishing city of twenty-si.\ thou- 
sand people. 

In place of a small and lowly settlement in the midst 
of the forest, stands to-day a thriving municipality, peopled 
by a busy, industrious populace. Where once the red man 



28 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

held undisputed sway, and the sturdy pioneers tilled the soil, 
now trades and pursuits of manifold description are followed 
on every hand. 

Instead of a barter trade confined for the most part tt) 
the indigenous red men, have sprung uj) commerce and 
negotiations with a thousand and one distant places. We 
stand to-day a prosperous and happy community, and yet the 
vast change which has been wrought in tliis long span of 
years, has not easily been accomplished. Our dear country 
has taken the foremost place in the family of nations, but 
with what sacrifices has this been done, and through what 
an ordeal has it passed. The savages who once roamed at 
will through its wilds, have been driven to remote regions 
and well nigh exterminated. 

Two dangers which assail e\er_\- nation, we ha\'e suc- 
cessfully met and j^assed. 

Foreign invasion will no longer ha\e terrors for us, and 
internal strife is not easily renewed. These and many 
other obstacles have been surmounted in our nation's 
progress, and in them Taunton has taken an earnest and 
active part ; and so she may fittingly say to-day as she looks 
upon her fortunate and jDrosperous people, "lliis is my 
reward. " 

A quarter of a thousand years ha\e })assed. It is \-ery 
fitting therefore, at this time for us to j^ause in our daily 
routine of duty, to forsake t)ur fields, our work shops and 
places of business, and gather here in the observance of this 
natal day ; and as we ha\'e been guided and protected by 
Divine Providence in the j^ast, ma}' we humbl\- claim the 
same guidance in the future, and by God's blessing continue 
a united and ])rosperous people. I bid you all a most hearty 
welcome. To the daughter towns, who for man}' years were 
boun.d to us, and of us were a jxirt, but who now lead an 



msi'oRicAi. AnoKKss. 29 

indepciKlcnt existence, mother Taunton to-day extends her 
warmest welcome. She bids them be merry with her in the 
festivities now to be held, for to-day ancient Taunton and 
our present city join hands and celebrate. 

To the most distinguished representatives of nation and 
commonwealth who have honored us by their presence at 
this observance of her two hundred and fiftieth l)irthda\-, I 
give a heartfelt and generous welcome. 

To all our guests, be they sons or daughters of Taun- 
ton, be they neighbors or from distant states, whatever may 
be their relations to us, we this day throw open the 
gates of the city, and bid them most cordial and sincere 
greeting. 

The Beethoven Society next sung "The Heavens are 
Telling;" after which Mayor Hall introduced the orator of 
the day, Hon. Edmund H. Bennett who delivered the fol- 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 



Ladies and Gcntlcuicn, Sons and Dano-litcrs of the Aneient 
Tozvn of Taujiton : — 
It is the story of the virtues and the sufferings of that 
worthy band, which so successfully laid the foundations of 
this community, and secured for us the manifold blessings 
we now enjoy, that you have assembled this day with such 
tender interest to hear. The presentation of such a subject, 
which reaches so many ears, attracts so many eyes, and 
interests so many hearts, properly belongs to some one who 
is a "native here, and to the manor born ;" some one, whose 
childhood has been passed in your daily sight, who has been 



30 QUARTER MIM-EXNTAL CELERRATIOX. 

reared amid those hallowed memories that cling around your 
hearth-stones, and whose ancestors sleep beneath the same 
sod, side by side with your own. But notwithstanding the 
natural hesitation of one not thus blessed to undertake so deli- 
cate a duty, none of your own sons, I assure you, could more 
highly appreciate the honor conferred on me by your kind 
invitation ; not the least of many others received during my 
residence among you. And, conscious of my own inability 
to adequately present so eventful a subject within the time 
allotted me, may I not appropriately add one more peti- 
tion to those which have already ascended to the Throne of 
Grace from the lips of our beloved chaplain, and be permit- 
ted to repeat those devout words in which the divine poet 
introduced his more exalted theme : — " What in me is dark, 
Illumine; what is low, raise and support." With all the 
aid vouchsafed me, the field is so broad and the period 
included so long, I shall necessarily weary your patience in 
considering matters of public and general interest only, 
and, therefore, I reserve for an appendix many minor details, 
whatever interest they might have for some here present. 

But I must hasten to the immediate topic of the hour, 
the treatment of which naturally assumes a more narrative 
form than if we already possessed complete local histories, 
or even former memorial addresses to which reference might 
be made. 

The exact date of the first settlement of Taunton can 
not now be ascertained, and the loss of her public records 
by the disastrous fire of 1838 makes it difficult to satisfac- 
torily trace her early history and progress. Many interest- 
ing facts are doubtless now wholly lost, while many others 
can be discovered only by the dim light thrown upon them 
from various collateral sources. But it is well known that 
in the early summer of 162 i, ere the Mayflower had scarcely 



HISTORrcAl. Anr)RFS?5. 3T 

completed her first return voyage to the mother-land, two 
distinguished pilgrims, Edward Winslow and Stephen Hop- 
kins, whose united families at that time constituted about 
one-fifth of the entire Plymouth colony, passed through this 
region on a friendly visit to Massasoit, the great sachem of 
the Wanipanoags. He had himself visited Plymouth in the 
March preceding, and had there entered into a written treat}' 
of peace and friendship with the colonists, which was ever 
after called "the Peace of Ph'mouth ; " a treaty which he 
faithfully kept until his dying day in 1660. In response to 
his friendly advances, Plymouth now sent two noble messen- 
gers, laden with gifts, to enquire after the health and wel- 
fare of this "greatest commander among the savages here- 
abouts, " and to renew the treaty of peace and amity be- 
tween them. So far as positively known, theirs were the 
first white feet that ever trod our soil. 

Under the guidance of a friendly Indian, named Squan- 
to ; the same Squanto who afterwards taught them the still 
prevailing custom of fertilizing each hill of corn with a 
herring; they crossed the Great River on Tuesday morning 
July 3d, 1621, at a " knowne shole place, " probably Shallow 
Water, at East Taunton.* Wending their way along the 
northwest bank of the rix-er, through what is now Dean 
street, thence by the Neck o' Land to Dighton and Somerset, 
they struck southwesterly to Pockanokick, the home of the 
Indian Chief, situated in what is now Warren, Rhode Island, 
where a pure spring of living water still bears the name of 
Massasoit' s spring. 

Probably, they followed an old Indian trail leading from 
Plymouth to the Narragansctt, and recently there have been 
discovered on the farm of the late Joseph B. Warner in 
Dighton, large flat stones in a row, through wet and swampy 
places, as if for stepping stones for the traveller. Winslow's 
I, See Appendix A. 



32 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

description of the countr}-, written at the time, contains 
these words : — " The ground is very good on both sides (of 
the river), it being for the most part cleered. Thousands of 
men have lived there, which dyed in a great plague not long- 
since ; and pitty it was, and is, to see so many goodly 
fieldes, and so well seated, without men to dress and manure 
the same. * * * * There is much good timber, both Oake, 
Wallnut-trees, F'irre, Beach, and exceeding great Chestnut 
trees. The country in respect of the lying of it, is l^oth 
champanie and hilly, like many places in England. "^ 

With the exception of Winslow's account of a subse- 
quent visit to Massasoit, two years later, we have no 
authentic mention of this locality for the next fifteen years. 
The growth of the Pl}-mouth colony was slow and feeble, 
her struggle being for existence rather than for extension. 
Her first new town (Scituate) was not created until October 
5, 1636, by which time the younger but richer Massachusetts 
colony had planted nearly a score of flourishing towns,'^ had 
pushed as far northerly as Dover, N. H., and penetrated 
the interior to Springfield, and even into Rhode Tsland and 
Connecticut. The first settlers of Taunton also came chiefly 
from the Massachusetts and not from the Plymouth colonv. 
They came over in the Arbella, and the Mary and John, 
rather than in the Mayflower or the Fortune. Of all the 
Massachusetts towns Dorchester seems to have been the 
most enterprising in planting new settlements, and as early 
as 1637, a number of its people, " feeling much straitened for 
want of room, " and perhaps- having their attention turned 
in this direction by the extension that year of Dorchester 
bounds southward to the Old Colony line, united with some 
others, the exact number is uncertain, in purchasing a large 
tract of land in this region, intending to make it their future 
home. 

1. See Appendix B. 

2. Certainly Boston, Canibridjie. Charlestown, Concoid, Dedhani, Dorcliester. 
Hinp;liain, Ipswich, Lynn, Medford, Newbury, C^uiney, Roxbury, Salem, Siirinj;'tieM 
Watertown and Weymouth,— though not chronologically in that order. 



HISTORIC. \i. AonRESS. 33 

Neitlici" tlic ()i"i_ii;inal deccl of this purchase, nor an)' rec- 
ord of it, can now be found, nor is its exact date known ; but 
there is abundant reason to believe that it came from i\Ias- 
sasoit, whose Indian name was (^usamequin, to whom the 
purchasers paid two shillino;,s per acre on their home lots to 
extinguish the Indian title.' This conveyance was confirm- 
ed in 1663, by his son Philip, who received sixteen pounds 
more. Indeed it is an established fact that oin- forefathers 
never took possession of a foot of land in this colony, which 
they did not fairly purchase of the Indians, with the excep- 
tion of Assonet Neck, and some other similar sections, which 
they were not allowed to buy, but which were confiscated by 
the Government to pay the expenses of King Philip's war, 
and sold by the Colony to individuals. A list of the first jjur- 
chasers may be found in the Proprietors' Records, now in the 
city clerk's of^ce, among whom we find the prominent 
names of Richard Williams, George Hall, William Poole, 
John Deane, John Crosman, Walter Deane, John Gilbert, 
Henry Andrews and William Scaddinge, from whom doubt- 
less that lovely, but not fully appreciated sheet of water, 
Scadding's Pond, derives its name.'- This Richard Williams, 
whose many descendants have led honorable and useful 
lives among us for generations, deserves justly to be called 
the father of the town, or certainly one of the most 
prominent of them. 

The monument to P^lizabeth Poole, now standing in Mt. 
Pleasant Cemetery, erected by the ladies of Taunton in 1836, 
describes her in glowing eulogy as the " Foundress of the 
Town of Taunton ; " but her name nowhere api)ears as one 
of the original jiurchasers, although that of another lad)-, 
" Widdo Randall," does; and so far as we can ascertain, the 
popular tradition of her purchase of the place with a jack- 

1. See Appendix ('. 

2. See Appendix I>. 



34 OUAKTKK MILLENNIAL CF.LERK ATIOX. 

knife and a ])eck of beans must be ranked witli tlie legend 
of Romulus and Remus as the founders of Rome, with that 
of William Tell as the deliverer of Switzerland, or that of 
Pocahontas as the saviour of Captain Smith.' But notwith- 
standing the doubt that Miss Poole can justly be deemed the 
"foundress" of the town, we do know with sufficient cer- 
tainty that she was born of noble lineage in Devonshire, 
England, on the 25th of August, 1588; that when nearly 
fifty years of age she came to this country with her \'ounger 
brother William, and after a short tarry in Dorchester re- 
moved to Cohannet, and became the owner of much land in 
this vicinity, and an active promoter of its interests.- Gov. 
Winthrop says (\"ol. I, p. 302) under date of 1637, "She 
went late thither, and endured much hardshij) and lost much 
cattle. " The Poole family usuall)' sjjelled their name 
P-o-l-e, and the plain towards Berkley was called " Mrs. 
Pole's plain," easily abbreviated to Pole plain, as now com- 
monly known. Miss Poole's homestead and adjoining land 
containing about twenty acres, was on the south side of 
Main street, extending from the Bristol County Bank build- 
ing easterly to near the Leonard Block, and bounded on the 
south by Mill river. From this estate she removed in 16,53 
to the corner of Dean and Winter streets, at or near the 
present residence of James H. Dean, Esq. With a well 
earned reputation for " Piety, Liberality and Sanctity of 
Manners, " she departed this life on the 2 Lst of May, 1654, in 
the sixty-sixth year of her age ; and after resting in her own 
private tomb on her homestead estate for more than a cen- 
tury, her remains were removed in 1771 to the Plain Ceme- 

1. The romantic story that Tocahontas .'iaved the life of Capt. Smith h\ lushin;; 
between the tieseemling: war club of lier father and the head of his captive, rests 
upon no reliable evidence. She was only thirteen years of age at the time of the 
.illeged incident, and recently published documents leaving little doubt but that the 
story is, in the main, a fiction. See English Colonization of America, by K. I). Nicll. 
1871; Ueane's Edition of Wingfield's Oiscourse of ^•ir^illia. is.-.'i. 

2. See Appendix E. 



IllSToRICAI. ADDRESS. 35 

tery where her ashes still lie. Her virtues deser\-e to be 
held in perpetual remembrance. 

We know but little of the events of these first years, 
but we learn from the Plymouth Colony Records (Vol. I. 
p. 105) that on the 4th of December, 1638, seven inhabi- 
tants of Cohannet, viz. William Poole, John Gilbert, Sr., 
Henry Andrews, John Strong,^ John Deane, Walter Deane 
and Edward Case were admitted and sworn as freemen of 
the Colony,- having been propounded for that office some- 
time previously ; and Mr. Strong was sworn as constable on 
the .same day. The law of this Colony provided that "none 
could be admitted as freemen but such as are one and 
twenty years of age, at the least, and have the testimon}- of 
their neighbors that they are of sober and peaceable con- 
versation, Orthodox in the Fundamentals of Religion, and 
such as have also Twenty pounds rateable Estate, at the 
least, in the Government." (Ply. Col. Laws, p. 258.) No 
Unitarian, Episcopalian or Quaker, whatever his qualifica- 
tions, was eligible as a freeman under that law. The Massa- 
chusetts Colony was even more strict. There all freemen 
must be church members, and not only so, but all church 
members must become freemen, upon penalt}- of being 
"dealt with" by the Church, whatever that may mean. (4 
Mass. Col. Rec. p. 420). Happily such regulations did not 
long survive. 

(^n the 5th of March following tlie admission of these 
seven freemen, viz. 1638, (O. S.) we read tliat "Captain 
Poole was ordered to e.xercise the inhabitants of Cohannett 
in their Amies. " (Ply. Col. Rec. XI. p. 31.)" Some ha\e 
thought that one of these dates should have been selectetl 

1. This John strong came to Cohannet from Dorchester and originally from 
Taunton, England. He was a brother-in-law of Walter Deane, and the father of 
si'ventecn children. He remained here only a few years and removed to Xorthamiitiin 

2. See Appendix V. 

3. See Appendix (i. 



36 OUARTKR MIT.LEXXIAL CELF.RR ATIOX. 

for our celebration. Rut these facts do not necessarily 
pro\-e that Cohannet had yet any separate town existence, 
since all the freemen of the colony, whether residing in in- 
corporated towns or unincorporated precincts, were alike 
registered as freemen at Plymouth, and were alike entitled 
to vote as individuals in the affairs of the colony. And not 
only were the inhabitants of towiis liable to military dut}-, 
but also "all and e\-ery person within the colony, "' whether 
in towns or not. Also when John Strong took the oath as 
constable in December, 1638, it was not as constable of the 
town of Cohannet, but only of the ivard of Cohannet ; where- 
as after 1639 the records describe the constable as of the 
toz^'u of Taunton. 

Unfortunately no positive vote can now be found, ex- 
pressly incorporating our town ; but we soon have an act of 
the General Court apparently recognizing it as such. Pre- 
viously to June, 1639, '^'^^ whole body of freemen assembled 
at Plymouth several times a year, to regulate the affairs 
of the Colony ; but the many inconveniences and great ex- 
pense to which the freemen were thus put by continual 
attendance at the Court, led to a very decided change in 
the system of legislation, and what had been heretofore a 
pure and simple democracy became, on the 5th of March, 
1638, a true representative government.- The same princi- 
ple had been introduced into the Massachusetts Colon \- fi\e 
years earlier. By this law Plymouth was entitled to four 
"committeemen or dejDUties " to the (General Court, and 
every other town to two. The first town election occurred 
soon after, and on the 4th of June following (1639, (). S.) 
two freemen from Cohannet, viz: John (Gilbert and Henry 
Andrews, took their seats in the General Court at Plymouth 
as our first representatives, and thus our existence as a sep- 

1. See 1 Ply. Col. Rec. p. 22, A. D. 1633. 

2. Passed March 5, 10.38, (). S. Ply. Col. Rec. Vol. XI, pp. 31-!)1-1«). Ai)p('iHli.\ 11. 



IIISTOKICAL ADI)I^I:SS. 37 

aratc and independent township — the first inland town in the 
Old Colony — as was Concord in the Massachusetts Colony — 
seems to have been officially recognized. In the absence 
therefore of more positive data, the 4th of June 1639 may 
not inai)]3ropriately be treated as our natal day, and two 
hundred and fifty years of municipal life have brought us to 
the present hour. 

l^robably the early settlers of this region came largely 
from the southwest of England, for we there find the fami- 
liar names of Norton, Dorchester, Weymouth, Wareham, 
Hridgewater, Plymouth. Barnstable, Somerset, Dartmouth. 
Berkley, Tiverton, surrounding the Knglish Taunton, much 
as do their namesakes our own city ; and the settlers of Co- 
hannet on March 3, 1639, (O. S.) procured the name to be 
changed to Taunton, as they themselves say, "in honor and 
loN'C to our dear and native country. " 

The Indian word Cohannett has been said to mean the 
place of snows, or snow-drifts, a name not inappropriately 
gi\-en. since one of her preeminent citizens died during the 
great snow storm of 17 i/. "The name Taunton," says the 
late Re\-. Mr. Brigham. in an interesting paper read before 
the Old Colony Historical Society, in 1859, "is genuine 
(laelic ; Taun meaning 'of the river;' Taun-town, a town on 
the river — contracted into Taunton. The proper pronuncia- 
tion of this word is still a mooted c[uestion, whether it is 
Ton. Tawn, or Tarn. The most common usage justifies the 
last sound. 

W'e know appro.ximately the location of the first meet- 
ing house, and it would be interesting to know the exact 
situation of the first dwelling, the first store and the first 
school house; but pi-obabl\' it is now impossible. It is be- 
lieved that the first block house or garrison house stood at 
or near the site ol the pres(;nt Music Hall, on Cohannet 



38 OUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

street ; and it is tolerably certain that after our fathers had 
become tired of going on foot to Plymouth or Dorchester 
for their meal, a grist mill was built about 1652 or 1653, by 
Thomas Linkon, on the west side of Mill river, between 
Cohannet and Winthrop streets, which was afterwards owned 
for many vears in the Crosman family, one of whom built 
the Crosman house still standing near by, which was such 
a hospitable resort ior civil and military officers during our 
Revolutionary period. Of this prominent family, probably 
Col. Robert Crosman, and his son Gen. George Hampden 
Crosman, were the most distinguished, and their many 
descendants are still ann)ng us. This old grist mill remain- 
ed on the same site until 1823, and the fitst saw mill was 
built near it about 1659 b)' Henry Andrews and John Mac- 
omber.^ This saw mill apj^ears to have been a serious ob- 
struction to the free passage. of the herring, for on June 6, 
1665, William Witherill and three (jthers were fined twent\- 
shillings for breaking down the saw mill dam so that the ale- 
wives might go up ; and thereupon the owners of the mill 
were ordered by the (General Court to make "a free, full and 
sufficient passage for the fish before the ne.\t season. " 
Thus early did the ale-wives begin tc^ vex our ancestors, and 
the day of deliverance has not yet come.- 

IHK I'lKST RECORDED MARRL\(iE 

was on November 8, 1638, between Richard Paul and Mar- 
ger)' Turner, the friend of Elizabeth Poole, and to whom in 
her last will she left a "yearling heifer. " The ne.xt s])ring 
William Hardy and Joanna Hucker, as also Thomas (Gilbert 
and Jane Rossiter, joined hands; and the number speedih- 
following their example indicates that the\' were not then 
perplexed with the modern stupid t-|uestion, " Is marriage a 
faihn-e.''" At that time a marriage was tpiite an undertak- 

1. Sec ApiR'iulix 1, 

2, See A)ii)en<lix ,J. * 



yjISTOKICAI. .\I)J)KF.SS. 39 

ii\<;-, since both i)artics must tra\-cl to Plymouth and have the 
ceremony performed b)- the (iovernor or one of the ma<;"is- 
t rates. Ministers were not allowed to solemnize marriages 
in the colonial days ■} but ere long special officers were ap- 
l)ointed in each town for that purpose ; William Parker being 
tlie first marriage officer for Taunton. Neither ministers nor 
justices of the peace were authorized to marry until 1692.- 
W'edded life, howex'er, was not always smooth sailing then, 
an}- more than now; for in 1654 Joanna Miller of Taunton, 
wife of Obadiah Miller, was complained of for "beating and 
reviling her husband, and egging her children to healp her, 
l)iding them knock him in the head, and wishing his victials 
might coake him. " Mothers-in-law, too, then as now, were 
not without their troubles, for in 1650 William She])herd 
of Taunton was conxicted and publicl}- whipjied for purloin- 
ing from his wife's mother.' 'i'he onl)' i-edeeming trait we 
find in this ungrateful son-in-law, was that he had the grace 
to })ublicly confess his offence in open court, and return the 
stolen goods ! 

Till-: I'iKsr lUKiii 
is beliexed to ha\e been that of John Deane, son of the 
original settler of that nalne, in the year 1639, ^^^^^ who, as 
before stated, died during the great snow storm of February 
iSth, 1717, in the seventy-eighth )ear of his age: his fun- 
eral being delayed for ten days, until the way to the burial 
ground could be cleared of the snow. 

I'he first death, so far as known, was that of John 
Hr^ant, one of the hrst purchasers, who died A])ril 28, i63<S, 
(i//t/ this is t/ic very first event in onr history the exeiet date of 
whieh is f-ositively knoi^'n. His will was proved at Ph'mouth 
June 4lh, 1638, being the first Cohannet will on record. 
Miss Poole was one of the ap])raisers of his estate (See iM\. 
Tol. kec. of Wills. \^>1. I, p, 30.) lie was i)robably buried 

1. Sue AiMiL'iulix K. St. 16:i-', c. l'5. L'. ;; I'ly. ( ol. llec. p. 70. i. 2 IMy. Col. Uec. \>. U'.t 



40 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

in the Neck-of-land cemetery on Summer street, as that was 
the first burial place in town ; although no stone can now 
be found therein older than that of Elizabeth Smith, who 
died January 31st, 1687 ; while the Walker burying ground 
off Somerset avenue, near Dighton, has an older stone erect- 
ed to Elizabeth Walker, wife of the first James Walker, who 
died August 14th, 1678, and //cv grave stone has the oldest 
legible inscription in this town. 

The office of town clerk was created in 1646,^ and the 
first clerk was Oliver Purchis, and not Shadrach Wilbore, as 
sometimes supposed. Mr. WMlbore. the ancestor of our ex- 
cellent Register of Deeds, was not admitted a freeman so 
early as 1646, whereas Mr. Purchis became such that very 
year,- and there is no record of the election of Mr. Wilbore 
as clerk before 1664, at or about which time Mr. Purchis 
moved to Lynn. Probably each town in its first efforts at 
self government chose some of its jirincipal freemen, "to 
order the special affairs thereof, " who were called "selected 
towns men," but the law lequiring towns to elect three or 
five selectmen, " such as shall be approved bv the Court, " 
and giving them many judicial powers and duties, was j)assed 
in 1665, and the first " Celect Men" under that law, were 
George Hall, Richard Williams, Walter Dean, James Walker 
and William Harvey, approved by the General Court, June 
5, 1666.^' 

We all know that Rev. William Hook was the first 
"pastor, " and Rev. Nicholas Street his assistant was "teach- 
er, " and afterwards his full successor. Both were eminent 
men of their time. Mr. Hook's lot was next south of Miss 
Poole's estate, on what is now Summer street, not unlikely 
where the City Hall now stands. Mr. Street's house was 
on corner of Spring and Summer streets, next to Mr. Hook's; 

1. Sec Ai)iiciidlx L. •-'. J I'ly. Col. IJci'. ji. 101. 

3. -1 Ply. CoJ. Kcf. p. Hi. A|)i»iiilix L :i. 



HISTOKICAI, ADDRESS. 4I 

the bridge over the river, near the A. Field tack works, 
was called " Street's Bridge. " The first meeting house was 
l)iiilt as earl)' as 1647, and ])erhaps earlier, by Henry An- 
tlrews, one of the original settlers, and one of the first 
deputies to the (ieneral Court, as before stated. Me was 
paid for the same in 1647 by a grant of land at Namasket 
l^ond, called the Calf pasture.' No doubt this house stood 
at the head of Spring street, on or near the site of the pres- 
ent Unitarian Church, and was the onl)' place of worship 
for nearly a centur\- ; the second house being erected in 
1729, and the third in I7<S9, which was removed for the 
present attractixe edifice in 1830. Probably the first dea- 
cons were Richard Williams and Walter Deane ; certainly 
they were such in 1654, in which }ear Elizabeth Poole died 
giving the church a legacy of her best cow ; and mentioning 
deacons Richand Williams and W^alter Dean as her "oxer- 
seers. " Without depreciating the efforts of others, every 
citizen of Taunton must realize how much we are indebted 
for our early position and character in the ( )ld Colony to those 
worthy families which bore the names of Williams, Dean, 
Hall, Leonard, Gilbert, Crosman, Lincoln, Walker and Wil- 
bore. 

lALN ton's iron works 1656. 

We know l)ut little more of these times until 1652, 
when a \erv imjiortant e\ent occunx'd in our infant town. 

i\s early as 1643 the manufacture of bar iron, from na- 
ti\'e or bog ore, had conuuenced in L\nn, on the Saugus, 
and not long afterwards in l^raintree, on the Monanticut ; and 
the discovery of iron ore on the banks of the Two Mile river 
in Taunton stimulated our forefathei's to attem]-)t the same 
industry here. Sexeial of the leading citizens of the i)lace, 
including (ieorge I lall. Richard Williams, Waller Deane. 

] . Si-e Aj)j>eii(lix j\l. 



42 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

James Walker, Oliver l^irchis, Elizabeth Poole and others 
formed a joint stock company, with a capital of ^,600, and 
built a dam across the Two Mile river, on the main road 
leading- to Raynham, and made all the jjrej^arations for the 
manufacture of bar iron from bog ore. Prominent among 
them was (ieorge Hall, the first clerk and manager of the 
company for many years, and the first " celectman " of 
Taunton. He continued to be an influential man in all town 
affairs until the day of his death. It gives me pleasure to 
say he was the ancestor of our esteemed, efficient and 
worthy Mayor and president of the day. 

To secure experienced workmen for this new industry, 
the town voted on the 21st of October, 1652, to invite three 
workmen from Braintree, \'iz. Henry Leonard and his broth- 
er James, and one Ralph Russell, "to come hither, and join 
with certain of our inhabitants to set up a Hloomer\- work 
on the Two Mile River. "^ At that time no i)erson could 
become a citizen of any t(nvn excejDt by permission of the 
same. If the abcn-e named three persons all came to Taun- 
ton, Henry Leonard and Russell did not long remain, for 
Leonard is known to have resided in Lynn as early as 1665, 
and Russell's name does not subsecpiently appear associated 
with the enterprise. It would seem that James alone re- 
mained, for on June ;^',d, 1655, the town con\e}'ed to him 
indi\iduall\' about fifteen acres of land on the east side ot 
the lM)rge Pond on the Hloomery, situated next to the old 
pond adjoining the road to Raynham. (Ply. Col. Rec. ot 
Deeds, \'ol. Ill, Part i, p. 47.) 

The ])reparati()ns for this enterprise recpiired some 
lime, antl it was not until 1656 that the manufacture of iron 
actualh' commenced, and soon afterwards bai' iron became a 
circulating medium in this community in place of munew 
and so continued for man\' vears. As disaster soon o\er- 

1. See .VpiMMidix N. 



HISTORICAL AnnRESS. 43 

took the earlier works at Lynn and l^raintrcc, our own may 
justly be considered the first f^cniiaiicut successful iron works 
in this coiDitry. 

James Leonard aboxe mentioned was first emplo)ed as 
a forgeman or "bloomer" therein; afterwards he became 
part owner, and liis son Thomas, distin<;uished in many 
ways, was a sul^sequent manager of the works ; and for man}' 
years the Leonard family were prominently connected with 
the establishment. In 1777 it passed into the hands of 
Hon. Josiah Dean, who converted it into a rolling- mill and 
nail works, and also iox making co])per bolts for shipbuild- 
ing, the first manufacture of this kind in this vicinity. It 
continued in the Dean family foi- three generations, and in 
1825 was changed into an anchor forge, and it is onl}' with- 
in a few years, as most of you know, that the foundations 
have been demolished. These iron works were so much 
faAored by the (Government, that in 1655, and again in 1662, 
the "bloomers" emplo}'ed therein, were exempted from mili- 
tary duty " unless upon some spetiall occasion of watching 
that may arise. " (3 Ply. Col. Rec. ]3. 89; 4 Id. 15.) 

Other iron works soon followed ; one at " Whittington " 
in operation as early as 1678, bv- James Leonard, who had 
left the first works ; another about 1695, on Three Mile i-i\er 
near the Dighton line, on or near the present site of the 
North Dighton Furnace, built by Richard .Stephens and 
•others ; again in 1696 the "C'hartle\- Iron Works" in the 
west part of the town, on .Stony Hrook, by Thomas and 
James Leonard, afterwards called the Leonard Iron Works; 
another in 1723-4011 Littleworth Hiook at Ivast Taunton 
by Cai)t. John King and otheis. and called " King's I'"ur- 
nace, " which made the fii-st iron hollov ware in the Old 
Colon\-. This estalilishmenl was afterwards conxerted into 
a box board mill, cuul is now owned b\- Nathan S. Williams. 



44 QUARTER MILLENNIA!, CELEBRATION. 

Miss Poole formerly owned land on this stream, and 
with her brother William had a grist mill there near King's 
P''urnace, vestiges of which may still be seen. The sixth 
ancient iron establishment on Mill ri\er, below Reed & Bar- 
ton's works, was bnilt in 1739-40, by Capt. Zephaniah 
Leonard, named the "Hopewell Iron Works, " a rolling and 
slitting mill succeeding it about 1776-7. 

Still another iron establishment was the Baylies Iron 
Works on Three Mile river at Westville, built by Messrs. 
Bollan and Laughton, as early as 1738 or '39, operated 
awhile by Thomas Baylies, Jr., as iron-master, afterwards 
owned by his brother Nicholas, from whom it passed to his 
youngest son, Hodijah, who much enlarged the establish- 
ment, and conducted it successfully for many )'ears ; in that 
period making for the frigate "Constitution, " an anchor so 
large as to require ten yoke of cattle for its trans])ortation 
to tide water at Dighton. 

We are indebted for most of the foregoing facts to the 
indefatigable secretary of the Old Colony Historical Society, 
who unites in himself the name and the blood of several of 
our ancient and most distinguished families, )ohn Williams 
Dean Hall.^ 

W^ith such an earl\- education and long experience in 
the manufacture of iron, it is not strange that it should be- 
come a flourishing industry among us, and go on increas- 
ing in \<)lume until its jjresent i)roduct, including tacks and 
small nails, exceeds the sum of S2, 000,000 annually. 

lALXroN NORIII I'lKCUASl'. 1668. 

The first purchase, abo\-e sjxjken of, reseml)led in shape 
a rhombus, or tliamond like tract, with parallel sides, but no 
right angles, lia\ ing its northerl)' coi'uer or apex neai- the 
center of the town of MansfieUI. This was called " Cob- 

I. Sec a very inti-icstiiij;- article liy liiiu, ifiMllicloiv the Ol.l CiMcniy Mistmical 
Sociclv ill 18.S-1, and imlilislicd jii Nn. :! of tlK'iv colicctioiis. 



IllSrOKlCAI. ADDKI'-.SS. 45 

bier's Corner, " because, as it is said, when Miles Standish 
and his men ran out the boundary line in 1640, one of them 
mended or cobbled his shoes at this spot. The extreme 
southerly point was near the Lakeville line, the easterly 
corner in the edge of Bridgewater, near Nipenicket Pond, 
and the westerly angle at the point where Taunton, Digh- 
ton and Rehoboth all meet. It was eight miles long on 
every side, and generally called "The lught Mile Purchase." 
or the " Long Square, " and contained about si.\t\--four 
square miles, or over 40,000 acres.' 

Notwithstanding the extent of this first ])urchase, our 
early settlers soon became anxious for more land, especiall)' 
pasture and meadow land, and in 1640, '43, '6^-^ and '65 vari- 
ous additions were made to the original territory mostly on 
the southerly side towards Assonet ;'-' but the second great 
addition was made in June, 1668, called the Taunton North 
Purchase, being the land surrounding the northwesterly end 
of the old Town, and extending northerly to the Massa- 
chusetts Colony line, which is now the southerly line of the 
towns of Stoughton, Sharon and Foxboro". 

This second purchase was bounded easterh' by Bridge- 
water, southerly by the First Purchase, and westerly by 
Rehoboth, now Attleboro'.-' The northerly line was twehe 
miles long, the east and west lines about se\en, while the 
south line was made by the apex of the old town projecting 
into it. The tract contained about sixty square miles, or 
thirty-eight thousand acres, and cost one hundred pounds. 
Dorchester and Taunton were thus made adjoining towns, 
and so continued for nearly half a century. 

TAIXTOX SOUIII riKClIASK 16/2. 

But our ambitious forefathers were not yet satisfied. 
In less than four years after the North Purchase, they were 
1. See Appendix O. 2. See Appendix 1'. 3, See Appendix t^ 



46 (H-AKTEK MILLENNIAL CELEP.KATION. 

looking with longing eyes to the fertile lands southerly along 
the banks of the Great river ; and after several negotiations, 
another tract on the west side of the river, described as four 
miles square, though somewhat more, was bought of King- 
Philip for one hundred and ninety pounds, and eighty-three 
pounds more was paid for a mortgage on the same tract, pre- 
viously given by King Philip to the Plymouth Colony and 
by its Treasurer assigned to the purchasers. This embraced 
the territory now constituting the town of Dighton, and 
contained at least sixteen square miles/ These several 
purchases with some subsequent additions towards Assonet 
Neck, the whole embracing about one hundred and fifty 
square miles or nearly one hundred thotisand acres, (consid- 
erably larger than the District of Columbia,) and comprising 
the present towns of Norton, P2aston, Mansfield, Raynham, 
Dighton and Berkley, constituted the entire township of 
Taunton until 171 l Therefore we gladly welcome the peo- 
\)]c of these towns as jointly interested with us in the cele- 
bration of this day. 

KING Philip's war — 1675. 

But we must hasten on to more stirring events. Thus 
far peace and prosperity have attended the Colonists' ]:)ath, 
but trying times are now before them. King Philip, the 
most wily and sagacious of his race, becoming restive under 
the constant advance of the white settlers, resolved upon 
their extermination. It is an erroi" to supj:)Ose that Phili]) 
was justified in any degree by encroachments of the white 
peojDle upon Indian lands. Gov. Josiah Winslow, in a letter 
of May I, 1676, says: — " Because some of our people are 
of a covetous disposition, and the Indians are in their 
streets (straits) easily prevailed with to part with their lands, 
we first made a law that none should jnirchase. or receive of 



IIIS'IOKICAI. AIIDRESS. 47 

t;-ift any land of the Indians, without the kno\vlc(l,i;c and 
allowance of our Court, and ]ienalty of a fine of five pounds 
]X'r acre, for all that should he so bouj^ht or obtained. y\nd 
lest yet the}' should be streii^htened, we ordered that Mount 
Hope, Pocasset, and several other necks of the best land in 
the Colonv (because more suitable and convenient for them) 
should never be bought out of their hands, or else the)' 
would have sold them loni; since. "' 

Doubtless Philip felt that his own race must melt 
away before the superior intellig'ence and more regular and 
industrious habits of the white people. Hostilities were 
imminent, but mediation was first attempted. In the little 
church at the head of Spring street on April loth, 1671, 
an interview took place between King Philip and three Com- 
missioners from Plymouth, viz : Gov. Prince, Josiah Wins- 
low and Constant Southworth, at which also were three 
Commissioners from Massachusetts, viz.: William Davis, 
William Hudson, and Thomas Brattle ; sent at the request 
of the Plymouth Colony to negotiate between the contend- 
ing parties. King Philip and his men in their war paint 
came into town by Cohannet street, past the old grist mill 
to the Green, and all parties adjourned to the meeting house. 
There the most singular scene took place ever witnessed in 
this region. "On the one side of the Church," says the his- 
torian Barry, "were the English, wearing the distinguishing 
garb of their day, with solemn faces and close shorn hair ; 
on the other were the Indians in the loose dress of their 
country, adorned with waiiipuiii and all the finery in which 
savages delight, their long black hair hanging down their 
back, and their small sunken eyes gleaming like coals of 
tire." The old church had never seen such a congregation 
before. Philip, at first denying that he had any hostile in- 
tentions, at length admitted that he was collecting amis and 

1. Mather's Indian Wars, Postscript, i>, J. 



48 QUARTER MILLEXXIAL CELEP.RATION. 

ammunition for an attack upon Taunton and other villag-es. 
He was compelled to surrender about seventy guns into the 
hands of the commissioners, and promised better behavior 
for the future.' But the truce soon failed. The issue was 
too vital to be settled except by force of arms ; and in the 
long and bloody conflict that ensued, costing over six hun- 
dred lives, half a million of dollars, (of which Taunton con- 
tributed over three hundred and twenty-seven pounds) and 
the total or partial destruction of fifty-three towns, Taunton, 
from its central position was the chosen rendezvous of the 
troops from Plymouth, Boston and elsewhere. For the same 
reason it was a constant point of attack by the savages, and 
several of its dwellings were consumed, and their inmates 
cruelly butchered; among others John Tisdale, James 
Phillips, Henry Andrews and P2dw^ard Bobit. The danger 
of the entire destruction of the village was so imminent that 
the Cape towns actually invited all our people to remove 
thither until the war was over. This offer was declined by 
Taunton people in a letter full of thankfulness to their 
friends, and with a firm reliance upon the Lord God of 
Hosts, for final deliverance from all their perils.- 

As might be expected, the Anglo-Saxon blood soon be- 
came dominant ; and in August, 1676, twenty men from 
Taunton, under the guidance of a friendly Intlian, attacked 
a body of the savages at Gardiner's Neck and put them to 
utter rout ; and their squaw-Sachem, Weetamoe, formerly 
the wife of Alexander, sister-in-law of King Philij), in 
attempting to swim the Great river, perished in her flight. 
A few days after, by the death of Philip, and the capture of 
Annawan by Captain Church at Rehoboth, this sanguinary 
conflict was terminated and our land had peace. 

1. See Appendix S. 
2.. See Appendix T, 



HISTORICAL AnORESS. 49 

FREE SCHOOLS I 677. 

Whatever reason there is for believing- that some school 
had been kept by "Master John l-Jisho]) " at the earliest set- 
tlement of the town, the )'ear 1677 is memorable for the in- 
au.guration of the Free School System in the Old Colon}', 
which, notwithstanding its many imperfections, has doubtless 
done more than any human agency to improve and elevate 
the great body of our people. By a law passed that year it 
was provided that, " In whatever Township consisting of 
fiftv families, or upwards, any meet man shall be obtained to 
keep a (irammar School, such Townshij) shall allow at least 
twelve pounds to be raised by rate on all the inhabitants ; 
and the profits of the Cape Fishery shall be distributed to 
such towns as have such grammar schools, not to exceed five 
})ounds per annum to any one town. "^ No doubt Taunton 
availed itself of this law, for in 1683 she received three 
pounds of the Cape Fishery money for her " scoole, " then 
kept by Mr. James Green, who was paid mostly in bar iron ; 
and in 1685 good Parson Shove tells us that "Taunton has 
eighty scholars on her list, some' of whom have entered 
Latin. " We have lived to see in one-seventh of the old 
town, forty-five hundred scholars, nearly a hundred teachers, 
and over thirty school houses, representing an estimated 
value of more than 8300,000, all maintained at an exjiense 
of over S6o,ooo annually. "Though tli}- beginning was 
small, th} latter end hath greatly increased. " 

TALxrox's KKsisr Axci: ro cnv. axdros — 1686. 

l^ut soon another cloud appeared on our northern bor- 
der. In 1684 the Massachusetts Charter was falsely de- 
clared forfeited ; and Gov. I^chnund Andros ha\-ing been 
appointed (ioxernor o\er the whole of New lingland, com- 
menced his arbitrary and tyrannical measures. One of the 

I. See Aiipeiulix r. 



50 ()r.\RTER MTI.I.F.XXIAI. CELKliRATTOX. 

first was to lew a tax of twentx' cents on each poll, and one 
penny in the pound upon all the property in the late Col- 
onies and Provinces. But the people of Taunton replied to 
him, thev did not "feel free to raise money on the inhabi- 
tants without their own assent in an assembly. "' For trans- 
mitting this spirited answer to John Usher, the Treasurer, 
our Town Clerk, Shadrach Wilbore, was fined twenty marks, 
and imprisoned for three months in Boston and in jail at 
Bristol. In less than two \ears from that time Andros was 
himself on his wa\' to i^nii,"land under arrest to answer for 
his misdeeds, and \V1lbore recei^•ed from his grateful towns- 
men one hundred acres of land at Cotley, "in considei-ation 
of his imprisonment and suffering. "'-' 

TAUNTOX SHIP-BUII.DlXd 1 7OO. 

In the year 1699, Thomas Coram,'' who had j^reviously 
come to this country from Dorsetshire, England, bought a 
tract of land of John Reed on the west side of Taunton 
river, and established a ship-yard in South Dighton, at or 
near what is now sometimes called Bragg's ship-yard, being- 
south of the town-landing, near the end of the road leading 
from Dighton Four Corners to the river, at the place now 
George A. Shove's homestead, a descendant of the Rew 
Crcorge Shove, our third minister. Here he built se\eral 
ships and hiid the foundation of that industr\- which 
fioui-ished for man\' Nears in this vicinity ; and although 
actual ship-building has been discontinued in this town, our 
shipping interests ha\e so largeh' increased that Taunton is 
the owner in whole or in part of over fifty vessels of differ- 
ent kinds, with a combined tonnage said to exceed that of 
any coast-ivise shipping list in any other city of New Fng- 

1. :! Palfrey's X\ K. p. 5.'i5. It.'v.ilution .liistifierl. pp. i:'.. 14. 

2. See Appendix V. 

.•;. An iHterestiiig ])aper on Thonuis Coiiini, Tiy the Hon. Cliiiiles A. Keeil, ol 
raunton, may be lounil in tlie Old Col. Hi.st. Soe. Papers, Xo. 2. A number of Coram'x 
letters :ue in " The Uavis I*ai)ers, " in the Mass. Hi.st. Society Library, Bo.ston. 



iiisiokn \i. Ai)i)Ki:ss. 51 

land. It nia\' not he unintcrcstiiiL;, in this connection to state, 
lliat notwithstandini;- tlie _i;x'ncral disappi-ox'al of lotteries at 
the ])resent da}'. e\en tor worth)- objects, our pious fore- 
fathers frequently resorted to them on sjiecial occasions ; and 
in 1760 a law was passed autJioriziui; James Williams, 
(ieor_i;"e Williams, Robert Luscomb and John :\dam of 
launton and Stephen Burt oi Herklex', to establish a lot- 
lei-\- for the |)urp()se of raising three hundred and fifty 
pountls to iemo\e the rocks and shoals from Taunton (ireat 
liver " between the W^are Bridi^e and Rocky Point."' I'he 
first Weir Brido-e had been built about 1667, the (ieneral 
Court allowing;- tweKe pounds toward the same out of the ])ub- 
lic treasur\'. The lottery was established, and printed tick- 
ets were issued, one of which I now ha\e before me. How 
successful the lottery proved to be in clearing the river may 
be understood when we know that since that time the gen- 
eral government has spent $250,000, for the same purpose, 
besides indi\-idual expenditures by parties interested ; and 
these improvements are not yet comjilete. 

IXCORPORATIOX OF XOKTOX AXD O'JHER TOWX.S I71I-35. 

Our historv records no other interesting events until 
about 17 10, when a period of twent\-fi\e \ears witnessetl 
\er\ important changes in our e\tensi\e territorv. Fhe 
earliest settlement in the tract afterwards included in the 
North Purchase, before spoken of, was made in 1669, on the 
easterly side of Winnecunnet l^)nd b\- William Witherell, a 
prominent man in Taunton, ancestor of the present William 
D. Witherell of Norton, and justl\- called the father of that 
town. 'The settlement in the ])leasant neighboihood around 
this pond had so increased in 1707 and the peoi)le wei-e so 
remote from the onl\- place of public worship, that in No- 
vember of that year they sent a petition to the town to 

1. See Appenilix W. 



52 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

bound them out a separate precinct, "for the maintanance of 
a minister, " whom they pledg-ed themselves to support. 
Taunton was not quite ready to assent to this request, as- 
signing to the General Court the ostensible reason that "the 
generality of the North Purchase are so poor that we ffear 
they will not be able to build a meeting house and maintain 
a preacher. " Probably the other reason given in their pro- 
test was no less weighty, namely: "that many of its are so 
extream poor, and rates and taxes so high, that we find it 
hartl and difficult to rub along. " 

Application to the General Court was finally successful, 
and in 1709 the North Precinct was established, which in 
171 I became a new town under the name of Norton, pi-ob- 
ably an abbreviation of North Town.^ It included, as is 
well known, the present territory of Easton and Mansfield, 
subsequently organized into separate towns, in 1725 and 
1 77 I respectively, the latter being so named by Gov. Hutch- 
inson, in admiration of the eminent Chief Justice of Eng- 
land. The same inconveniences which led the North-folk to 
take the step above mentioned, also induced the southern 
]wrt of the town to similar action ; and in 1708 about thirty 
of the dwellers in that region also petitioned for a separate 
precinct. This caused even more opposition than the other ; 
the town seemingly being anxious lest the petitioners should 
be exposed to much "difficulty by reason of the Great river 
that runs through the middle of that desired precinct, which 
will be difficult to })ass in winter by reason that the ice is 
many times not strong enough to bear, and too hard to 
break!" An excuse much thinner than the ice itself; for 
the General Court made short work of it, granted the re- 
quest of the petitioners, and set out their new precinct as 
desired; which in 17 12 was declared to be a separate town 

]. See Appendix X. 



tnsTORICAI. ADDRESS. 53 

under the name of Dighton, so-called from Frances Dighton. 
a sister-in-law of Gov. Dudley, and wife of the Richard Wil- 
liams before mentioned.^ 

Several other attempts were made to dix'ide the town, 
but without success until 173 i, when the north-easterly por- 
tion having become in the language of that day, "compe- 
tently hlled with inhabitants, " was incorporated under the 
name of Raynham.- The fashion of town-division was now 
at its height, and in 1735 our old town was called upon to 
part with another section on its southeasterly border ; and the 
new town of Berkley (named for Bishop Berkeley, who had 
resided a short time at Newport. R. I.) took its place on the 
Hag of the Old Colony. This completes the list of our 
municipal offspring.'' No other town in the Old Colony can 
boast of so many daughters. As in an earlier age the 
IIea\-enly Saturn is said to have successively thrown off its 
several bright rings, so in a later day, did this our terrestrial 
planet, in the first century of her existence, set si.\ new 
stars in her surrounding firmament, which together con- 
stituting one united constellation, this day revolve — har- 
moniously revolve — around one common centre ot interest 
and attraction. But to follow them in their respective oi"- 
bits would lead us too far from our ]:)resent path. They will 
soon have interesting celebrations of their own. 

SKTrLEMKNl' Ol'" XKW rALXTOX I 736. 

I take esjiccial j^leasure as a son of W-rmont in stating 
the fact known doubtless to many of xou, that the first per- 
manent settlement in that state was made b\- hard\- iiioneers 
from this place. In the year 1735 a number of Taunton 
people petitioned the (ieneral C"ourt of Massachusetts to be 
incorporated as a new town on the Connecticut ri\er. Their 
request was granted, and a new town was created, under the 

1. See Apjiemlix V. '_'. See Api)en(li.\ /,. a. See Aiii>eii(li.\ .V. .V. 



54 oiakii:k mii.i.i.nmai. cili.ij'.ka tion. 

name of Township No. (_)nc. or New Taimton. Il was 
al)ont six miles square, on the west bank of the river, a few 
miles south of Bellows Falls, and is now ealled Westmin- 
ster. Amonj;- the petitioners are the familiar names of Capt. 
Joseph Tisdale, James Williams, James Leonard, first, 
second and third, William Hodges, Joseph Wilbore, Ebenezer 
Dean. James Walkei' and others. I ha\ e a complete cop\' of 
their entire records for the .\])pendi.\. (3n the 14th of Jan- 
uar)', 1736, they met and organized in the little red school 
house at the Neck-of-Land, b\ the choice of Deacon Samuel 
Sumner as moderator, James Williams as proprietors' clerk, 
and a committee of allotment, \iz. I'apt. Josei:)h Tisdale, 
Lieut. John Har\'e\-, h^ns. Seth Sumnei-. Air. Jose|)h I*',(l(l\. 
Air. lulmond Andrews and Mr. l'~benezer Dean, to divide and 
allot the land in tracts of not o\er fift\' acres each. ( )ne lot 
was resei"\'ed for the first minister, one for the second, and a 
third for the school. Aftei" expending- considei-ablc mone\ 
in buildin;; houses, a saw mill and ,L;rist mill, and making 
other improxcments, it was ascertained in 1741, on the I'c- 
sui-\e) of the b()undar\- line between New llampshii-e and 
Ahissachusetts. (which latter state had theretofore claimed 
jurisdiction as far north as Concord, N. IT) that New {"aun- 
lon was sexeral miles north of the true boundai\' line, and 
the j;"rant from Massachusetts therefore imalid. The new 
settlers thereupon sold out their im|)i-o\ ements to other par- 
lies who had been authorized b\- (iov. Hennin^; of .\e\\ 
ilampshiie to take possession, and in 174- those who had 
^one to X'ermont returned to Taunton where the\- li\ed and 
died. I ha\e reason, therefore, as a X'ermonter to feel a 
special interest in the town of m_\- adoption.' 

iwLNiox .M..\i)i-, A sniKi:-r(i\\ X — 174''). 
In the \car 1746 another important e\enl occurred 
bearin,!.;- larL;el\- upon the future interests of Taunton. The 



(llsroKKAr. ADDKKSS. 55 

town of Iiristol. th()ui;h much smaller than Taunton, had 
l)ccn made the county seat in 1685, when Bristol Countv 
was created. ]^\er)- student of history knows that ori^-in- 
ally the western boundar\- of the lM\mouth Colony, and so of 
Bristol Count}-, was the Xarragansett Ha} ; and that for 
many }ears Bristol, Warren, Barrin<;ton, and othei- neigh- 
horiui;- towns, were a j^art of Massachusetts, and sent repre- 
sentatives to our (ieneral Court in Boston ; but by decree of 
the king' and coiuicil in 1746 (a \er\ unjust one, in m\ 
ojiinion) the boundary line was so run that those towns fell to 
Rhode Island, and our jurisdiction over them ceased. Bris- 
tol, haxini;- heretofore been the county seat, all the courts 
had lieen held there, and the records of deeds and wills were 
thei-e also. It became necessar}- to choose another shire- 
town ; and the central location as well as the relative import- 
ance of Taunton rendered its selection natural and easy, a 
choice which should ha\e been made when the countx' was 
established. Accordini;ly an act was passed, creating;" Taun- 
ton a shire-town, and all books and pajDcrs in Bristol were 
brouL;ht here, and the hi'st Countv Court, oi" Inferior Coui't 
ot Common Pleas, was held here I)ecember 9, 1746. This 
e\ent made Taunton the lei;al centre of the countw a posi- 
tion that had much to do with her future ])rosi)erit}-.' 'The 
first Court House was built about 1747, Taunton contribut- 
ini;- nearl}' one thousanti pounds towartls its eix'ction. it 
stood a little southwest ot the present building, until 1772. 
when it was succeeded by anothei", fortx' feet scpiare, and 
lwent}-four feet hi{;h, which in 1<S27, beini; found inack'- 
cpiate. was remo\'ed northward tlown Cobb's Lane, now 
Court sti-eet, and coinerted into a tenement house. 'The 
present respectable edifice, erected in the same } ear. even 
now i-e(.|uires enlari;ement. 'The first jail was built in 1747. 
at a cost of about 83,000, on the site of the Bristol Count\ 

1. Sci' ApiH-iKlix ( c. 



56 QUARTER MII.LEXXIAL CELEI5RATIOX. 

liank building, and during the erection of it the school 
house was "impressed" for jail ]:)iu'poses. This first jail 
was used in 1775 for the confinement of "prisoners of war" 
by order of the council.^ The present one, erected in 1873 
at a cost of about $160,000, is known as one of the model 
jails in the Commonwealth, and under the present manage- 
ment might sometimes be taken by the passer-by for a first- 
class conservatory, and always as a most inviting home for 
honest and gentle folk, of whatever degree ! 

TAUNTON IN THE REVOLUTION 1776. 

Hut time rolls on. Mighty events are fast approaching; 
e\ents involving the existence of a nation, and the destinies 
of a world. The oppressive measures of I^ngland had be- 
come unendurable ; Lord North controlled the British policy ; 
the Stamp Act had passed ; Writs of Assistance had issued ; 
the streets of Boston swarmed with foreign soldiery ; the Bos- 
ton Massacre had taken place ; Crispus Attucks had fallen ; 
the Boston Port Bill had become a law. These cruel and 
vindictive measures aroused the indignation of our people. 
Committees of safety were everywhere api)ointed ; minute 
men were organizing companies ; beacon fires were burning 
on e\ery hill-top ; and the spirit of resistance was kindling 
into an irresistible fiame. In these stirring exents Taunton 
was not backward ; indeed she was among the foremost. 
The same spirit which led her fathers, a century before, to 
refuse obedience to the arbitrar\' acts of (Governor Andros. 
inspired the breasts of their descendants. 

Long before the Declaration of Independence, long be- 
fore the burning words of Patrick Menr\- ; befoi'e Putnam 
had left his plow in its Connecticut furrow, oi- Washington 
taken command of the American arm\ ; before the march to 
Lexington, or the fall of Ticonderoga, the citizens of Taim- 

1. See .\iiiiemlix 1)D. 



IIISrOKICAI. ADDKKSS. 57 

ton, wilh ])r()[)hclic eye. foresaw the real issues imoKed in 
the eoniin<;- eonfliet, and as early as Oetoher, 1774, unturled 
tlieir banner to the breeze on Taunton Green, bearing those 
inspiring words, "Liberty and Union; Union and Liberty. "' 

The uprising in this vicinity became so great that Gov- 
ernor Gage deemed an armed force necessary to keej) the 
people in subjection, and at his request, Col. Gilbert, a 
notorious Tory of Freetown, raised a body of three hundred 
men to overawe the friends of Liberty. These proceedings 
[)r()duced intense indignation, and Col. Gilbert was denounced 
as "an enemy to his country, to reason, to justice and to the 
common rights of mankind ; " and it was declared that 
"whoever had knowingly espoused his cause, or taken uj) 
arms for his suj^port, does, in common with himself, deser\e 
to be instantly cut off from the benefit of conmierce with, 
or countenance of, any friend of virtue, America, or of the 
human race. " Such was the spirit of Bristol count)', sa\"s 
one of the l^ostt)n papers of that day, "that it is more dan- 
gerous to be a Tory at Taunton, than in Boston itself. "- 

( )n the 2.Sth of September, 1774, a spirited county con- 
\ention was held at the old Court House in this town, at 
which Zephaniah Leonard, h^sc|., (afterwards Judge of the 
Common Pleas) was chairman, and Dr. Da\id Cobb, clerk. 
Patriotic resolutions were unanimoush' adopted, declaring 
that the}- were "determined at the risk of their fortunes and 
their lives, to defend their natural and compacted rights, and 
to op])ose to the utmost all illegal and unconstitutional 
measures, wliich ha\e been or ma\' be hereafter ado|)te(I b)' 
a ]>iitish Parliament or a British ministry. '"' Thus earl\ 
were the \eomen of this \icinil\- preparing the wa}' for the 
full declaration of Amei'ican Independence. 

1. Krotliiiifiliiun's Lile or Waricii, 11. 403. ■_'. Sir .\iiiiiii<lix EL. 

o. Sue Aiipenilix FF. 



58 OUAKTKR MlI.I.KXNAr. CELKI! RATION. 

The news of the battle of Lexin,i;t()n reached Tauiilo 
on the evening of April 19th, 1775. That very night both 
of the Taunton companies, one commanded by Capt. James 
Williams, Jr., the other by Capt. Robert Crosman, rallied 
in full force, and led by Col. Nathaniel Leonard, suc- 
ceeded by rapid night marches in reporting for duty in 
Roxbury early on the followitig morning.' J^'rom that da\- 
Taunton was all alive. Within four da}s another compan}- 
of sixty men was organized, and went into active service 
under Captain Oliver Soper, on the 24th of the same 
month. (3n the 3d of July the town appointed a committee 
of Inspection and Correspondence,-' consisting of twenty-one 
of her most active patriots : such men as George (iodfrey. 
Nicholas Baylies, George Williams, Dr. David Cobb and 
Josiah Crocker, son of the sixth minister, and father of lion. 
Samuel Crocker. A complete record of the i)r()ceedings ot 
this committee has been happily preserved among the God- 
frey papers in the hands of that zealous antiquary. Deacon 
Edgar H. Reed. One of their first acts was to seize the es- 
tate and effects of Daniel Leonard, who. over the signature 
of Massachusettensis, had written the most plausible articles 
ever put forth in support of the Royalist cause, and which 
were for a long time attributed to Attorney-General Sewall. 

In 1776, nearlv one hundred citizens of this town 
headed b\- John (iodfre\-, signed a solemn league and co\en- 
ant. (the original of which is still preserved) "not to aid or 
assist the British forces, or supply them with jMovisions, or 
stores, or give them any information, but on the conti-ar\. 
according to their best power and abilities, to defend by 
arms the American colonies against every hostile attempt ol 
the fleets and armies of (jreat Britain. "'^ 

Taunton also furnished the colonel for a new i-egiment 
of Hrist(_)l County, and a brigadier general for a new brigade 

1. See Appendix Fl" a. •.'. See Appendix (i(i . i. See Appendix HH. 



iiis'ioKicAi. AnnKi:.- 



59 



of four i"c,L;inK'nts, \ i/.. Col. (ic()ri;c Williams, and B]'iL;. (rcn. 
(loclfrcw who became a \cr\- prominent fij;ure in oui Re\()- 
lutionai'N' jjei'iod. 'I'wo more eonijjanies were also raised in 
/S and "79, for diffi-rent periods of service.' When we re- 
member that Taunton then had onl)- about three thousand 
souls, we can justh' claim that she did hei" full ])art in the 
Re\-oluti()nar\ sti-ui;-L;le. llei- conti-ibution to the main l)od\- 
of the armv would entitle her to this meed of jjraise ; but 
what other town in the Commonwealth, naw in the entire 
counti-\ — had the honor — the imperishable honor — of fui-- 
nishini;- not onl\- two of the most trusted members of (ieneral 
Washington's staff, but also one of the foremost si<;ners of 
the Declaration of Independence! 

Nicholas Ha\lies. a member of the Committee of Safe- 
t\, before s])oken of. and st) prominent in our town dui-in_L; 
the Revolutionary period, was the father of Hon. ilodijah 
Ixnlies. the faxorite aide-de-camp of Cen. Lincoln, whose 
daughter he afteiwards married. Subsec|uentl\' he became 
the fi'iend and aitie of Washin^L;"ton, ser\inj;- under him at the 
sie.^c of \'orktown. He was a man of polished manners 
and martial bearini;-. "an officer with all the elegance of the 
liritish j;enerals. without an}' of their vices. " After the 
war he became a faithful. accui"ate and accommodatini; Col- 
lecloi- of Customs, and a most acceptal)le Judge of I'robate 
for a tpiarter of a centurw it is unnecessar\ to remind this 
audience that he was the fathei" of our late esteemed and 
beloved townsman, Mr. lulmund Ha\lies. who so gracefull\ 
wore that highest of all earthly titles, "a Christian gentle- 
man. " and who but i"ecenll\ came to his graxe "in a lull 
age. like as a shock of corn cometh in i^i its season. 

No doubt the patiiotic sentiment of 'I'aunton and viidn- 
il \ was largeh molded b\ Robert Ti-eat I'aine, who had 
married the s'ster (>f (ieneral Cobb, and at the lime of the 

1. S,r .Vi.ncii.lix II 



60 OUAKTER MILLENNIAL CELEI5KATION. 

l\c\()lution was about forty-five years old. His house was 
on the east side of City Square, on or near the site of the 
Taunton National Bank. He had conducted the prosecution 
against the British soldiers for the Boston Massacre, had 
warmly espoused the side of the colonists, was delegate from 
Taunton to the General Assembly of Massachusetts in ,'J^ 
and '74, to the Provincial Congress of '74 and '7 5, and to the 
Continental Congress which succeeded it, and was one of 
the fifty-six who, in that "diploma of immortality," pledged 
iheir lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor for their 
country's independence. Subsequently he became Speaker 
of our House of Representatives, Attorney General, State 
Councillor, and finally Judge of the Supreme Court. He 
was a man of great legal attainments, a brilliant wit, an ex- 
cellent scholar, an able and imj^artial judge, a dexoted j)a- 
Iriot. His philanthropic descendant, the embodiment of all 
".Associated Charities," worthily bears his honored name. 

On the other hand Daniel Leonard, then about thirlx- 
(\\c years of age, although born of the best blood of the 
Old Colony, educated in her highest institutions, gifted with 
remarkable powers as a writer, lawyer and orator, and for 
several years our chosen, popular and trusted representati\e 
in the General Court, in an e\'il hour deserted his former 
Iricnds and embraced the Tory cause. His house, (now- 
standing just east of the Court House) was assailed b)' his 
indignant fellow-citizens, and he fled to Boston to join the 
enemies of his countr}-. Vox this he was soon banished 
from the Commonwealth, his property was confiscated, and 
he died in exile in a foreign land, shunned and despised by 
his former townsmen and by every true lover of his country. 
He left no descendants in America. Of these two contem- 
])oraries, the name of the one is ever mentioned with honor 
and respect, that of the other is almost forgotten. " The 



IIISTOKICAI. ADDKHSS. 6 I 

memory of the just is blessed, but the name of tlie wicked 
shall rot. " 

I have spoken thus particularly of two j^rominent law- 
yers in our Revolutionary period, but these are not all. Of 
the long roll of able counsellors and judges, who at some 
time resided in Taunton, what more shall I say .' Time 
would fail me to tell of Samuel White, the first Taunton 
lawyer, and his grandson, Francis Baylies, of George Leon- 
ard, of Samuel Fales and Seth Padelford, of Seth Williams, 
of Samuel Sumner Wilde, of Nicholas Tillinghast, of Mar- 
cus Morton, father and son, nay, three sons, of John Mason 
Williams and Pliny Merrick, of Theophilus Parsons, Har- 
rison Gray Otis Colby, of Chester Isham Reecl and others ; 
governors and lieut. governors, justices and chief justices 
of every court in this Commonwealth. What wonder there- 
fore, with such a record before me, that I should have been 
induced, forty years since, to leave the land of my birth, and 
to say unto this place, henceforth "thy people shall be my 
people, and thy God my God. " 

TAUNTON IN SHAYS' REBELLION 1 786. 

The war of the Revolution was over ; but it left the 
colonists completely exhausted. The expenses incurred in 
carrying it on were enormous ; taxes were burdensome ; i)ub- 
lic and private indebtedness overwhelming. The currency 
was sadly depreciated ; trade uncertain ; and the avenues of 
industry were closed. Corn was ^'15 a bushel; board 
jCS~ ^ week ; wood ^40 a cord.' Fvery silver dollar was 
worth seventy-five paper dollars ;'-' landed i)r()i)erty was worth- 
less, and starvation stared many in the face. An ujirising 
of discontent took j^lace in many C(Hmties, Bristol among 
the rest. Collection suits were so obnoxious that courts 
were the special object of attack. At the September term 
of the Common Pleas in this town, the Court House was 

I. Atwoort'8 Ueininiseenpes, p. 55. •_', See A|>))PhiUx .IJ, 



62 (}L'AKTKK M I LI.llXN' I A 1. CllLKUK A IK ).\. 

threatened bv an armed mob, demanding that the court 
should not l)e held. (ien. Cobb, then one of the justices of 
that court, in answer to these threats, utteretl, according; to 
tradition, these memorable words, so familiar to e\er\ 
Taunton ear, and which have ])assed into historx' : " Away 
with \'our whining ; I will hold this court if 1 hold it in 
blood ; I will sit as a judge, or die as a general. " Awed b)- 
his resolute s]:)ii-it, the crowd dispersed ; but the spirit of in- 
subordination was not yet quelled ; the western counties 
were soon in open rebellion, and the October term of the 
Supreme Court was approaching. Apprehending a second 
demonstration, (ien. Cobb, on the Sunda}' evening previous, 
took possession of the Court House with a small body of 
\()lunteers fiom this town, and one field ])iece, still in exist- 
ence among us. The court opened its session on Tuesday 
morning and on Wednesday the insurgents again appeared to 
the number of about two hundred, and armed with English 
muskets put themselves in battle array under Col. Valentine 
of Freetown. Gen. Cobb drew up the militia, numbering about 
four hundred and planted his loaded cannon. To the de- 
mand that the C(Hn't papers be deli\'ered up or destro\'ed. 
Gen. Cobb, it is said, drew a line with his sword on the 
ground and shouted to the rebel leader, " If \ou want these 
jjapers, come and take them ; but pass that line and i hre ; 
and voiu" blood be on vour own head. " The insuigents 
were cowed and fled in dismay, and armed resistance to the 
law of the land in Bristol count}- ceased. It is to the ciedit 
of Ra)nham that it sent more men to put down this insur- 
rection than an\' other town in the count\' ; two full com- 
panies fi'om that place ha\ing piomptly res])onded to (ien. 
Cobb's call. 



insToKicAi, AnnKKSS. 63 

(icncral Cobb, tbounb born in Attleboro', came to 
Taiinton at an earl\- aj^e. A <i;racluate of Harvard in 1766, 
when under sixteen, educated in lier mech'cal school, a physi- 
cian of onl\- t\vent_\-seven when Independence was declared, 
he threw himself heartily into the contest, and with his 
i)rother-in-law, Robert Treat Paine, was representative to 
the General Court in October, 1774. He was appointed 
Lieut. Col. of the i6th Mas.sachu.setts Regiment, then be- 
came the aide and intimate friend of Washington, and after 
the return of peace was repeatedly honored by his nati^■e 
state. Speaker of her House of Representatives, President 
of her Senate, Councillor to her Governor, Lieut. Governor 
liimself, Maj. General of her militia, Chief Justice of one 
of her courts, what more could he be except her representa- 
tive in the P^ederal Congress of 1773-5. Notwithstanding 
his busy public life he still had time to look after the inter- 
ests and welfare of his own townsmen, and was so active in 
jM-ocuring the establishment of the Bristol Academy in 1793, 
as to have received from the trustees the title of its "patron 
and founder. " Take him all in all he was one of the most 
distinguished men the times produced. His versatility of 
talent was remarkable. A sagacious physician, an intrepid 
soldier, an honest politician, an unselfish statesman, a safe 
councillor, a discreet judge, an earnest patriot. Well did 
Massachusetts honor itself in directing that his i)ortrait be 
hung on the walls of her Senate Chamber as an inspiration 
to the generations to come after him ! Well do we honor 
ourselves in inviting his only living male descendant to be 
present on this occasion.' 

I)I\ ISION 0|- CHURCHK.'^ '792. 

I^'or more than a century and a half there was onl\- one 
Congregational church and society in the entire town, in- 

1. Hon. Samuel Crocker Colib, former M:iyor of Boston. 



64 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

stead of the forty now to be found on the same territory. 
During that period, in addition to the learned, holy, humble 
William Hook, and the pious, judicious and modest Nicholas 
Street, before spoken of, I may not omit to allude to George 
Shove, whom Sewall calls a '-principal light in these ])arts, " 
and who after twenty-two years spent in promoting both the 
spiritual and material interests of Taunton, died on Thurs- 
day, April 21, 1687, in a good old age; also, to the learned, 
affectionate and popular Samuel Danforth, who resided at 
the corner of Washington and Park streets, and who was a 
useful physician and a respectable lawyer as well as a pastor 
and whose death on Nov. 14, 1727, after forty years of faith- 
ful service, was declared to be an "awful and threatening 
sti'oke of Providence, " and whose remains now repose in 
yonder Plain cemetery ; next, to the hospitable Thomas 
Clap, son-in-law of Judge George Leonard, of Norton, whose 
house was that now occupied by Capt. Gordon on Dean 
street. Still less can I overlook that eloquent and persua- 
sive preacher, Josiah Crocker, whose powers drew many from 
a great distance to hear him, and who lived in the old par- 
sonage on Barnum street, until August 28, 1774; from 
whence he also was borne to his resting place, in the same 
cemetery ; and whose public spirited descendants, so long 
prominent in public affairs, have in many ways left so last- 
ing an impress on this place. He was succeeded by that 
fearless christian patriot, Caleb Barnum, whose house stood 
on the site of the late Mr. Dunbar's apothecary store, on the 
south side of City Square, and who at the early age of 
thirty-nine gave up his life in the service of his country as 
chaplain to the 24th Regiment in our Revolutionary wai-, 
declaring on his deathbed, that had he a thousand lives he 
would willingl}- lay them all down in his country's cause. 
I may also refer to the acute, out-spoken, and often eccenti-ic 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 65 

Ephraim Judson, whose house was south of St. Thomas' 
church, near the Wheaton house, and who used to caution 
the boys not to make so much noise in the <i^allery, lest 
they wake up the old folks down below ; to the some- 
times sublime and oftentimes imprudent preacher, John Fos- 
ter ; and later still, to the benevolent, affectionate and be- 
loved John Pipon, who never married, because his salary, as 
he said, could not "carry double, " but who, notwithstand- 
ing, kept open house at the corner of High and Hill streets, 
where Mr. A. E. Swasey now resides. 

In the latter part of the i8th century, under the ad- 
ministration of the Rev. Mr. Judson, a division of senti- 
ment began to arise in the church, which upon the settlement 
of Mr. Foster as Mr. Judson's successor, in 1792, culmi- 
nated in the withdrawal of a majority of the church members, 
and the organization of a new society in the west part ot the 
town, which, after worshipping some years in temporary 
places, finally under the faithful guidance of the Rev. Alvan 
Cobb, eminent for his theological and biblical learning, 
erected in 1824 the church now standing at Westville, 
which is thought to be the oldest existing church edifice in 
town. This society is believed to have established the first 
Sunday School in Bristol County. 

Three years previously, viz. in August, 1821, the third 
Congregational church had been organized at the Green, of 
which Rev. Chester Isham was the first pastor, succeeded 
by the Rev. Erastus Maltby, under whose long and faithful 
ministration the church increased to such an extent as to 
furnish material for a fourth society, which was organized in 
1837 as the Spring street church, now the Winslow church 
on Cohannet street, and over which our beloved and 
esteemed chaplain was the first pastor, succeeded by the 
Rev. Dr. Blake, whose loss to this town cannot easily be 



66 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEliRATION. 

estimated. Still again in 1853, another society of the same 
denomination was organized in East Taunton, and later still 
in 1868 the Union Congregational church at Britanniaville 
was added to the list. 

As early as 1741 a Protestant Episcopal church was 
organized under the name of St. Thomas, which worship])ed 
awhile at the west part of the town, but was practically sus- 
pended from 1798 until 1829, when it was re-organized in 
the centre of the town, and now worships in its stone church 
c}n High street, which in its present condition cost about 
5^70,000. The Hon. Marcus Morton and the Hon. Erancis 
Baylies were its first wardens after its re-establishment. 
This societ)' never realized the benefit of the gift intended 
by Thomas Coram for the future Episcopalians of Taunton, 
in his deed of fifty-five acres, made December 28, 1703, to 
the vestry of King's Chapel, in trust, for they sold the land 
to Stephen Burt in 1754 for one hundred pounds, and ap- 
propriated the whole for building the present King's Chapel 
on Tremont street, Boston ! It should have gone into a 
"Coram Tower" at the south-east corner of the church. 
His subsequent gift of a library and Book of Common 
Prayer shared a better fate. A second parish of the same 
denomination was organized at Whittenton in 1866 as St. 
John's church, with the Rev. Geo. D. Miles its first rector, 
whose catholic spirit and amiable character will not soon be 
forgotten in this community. 

The first P'ree-will Baptist church was in North Taun- 
ton, and its first meeting house was erected in 1767, the 
present one succeeding it about 1836. A Six Principles 
Baptist church was organized in 1789, in North Rehoboth 
and West Taunton, but which has long ceased to exist. In 
1819 was organized the " Second Baptist church in laun- 
ton " on Winthroji street, the name of which was afterwards 



tllsrOKICAL ADDkESS. 6"] 

changed to Winthrop Street l^aptist church, and which has 
become such a power among us. A Christian Baptist 
church also existed for a while on Trescott street, but this 
societ)' has for sometime been disbanded. The first 
Methodist Episcopal church at the Weir, was established in 
ICS30, now one of the largest and most influential in that 
denomination. The second — the Central Methodist Ejmsco- 
l)al church, on Cohannet street — was organized in 1853, and 
the third — Grace church, corner of Weir street and Somer- 
set avenue — in 1874. 

After several acts incorporating a Universalist society in 
town, the present society was established in 1840, our worthy 
townsman, Mr. Charles P'oster, who still goes in and out 
among us, being one of the most acti\e members. After wor- 
shipping awhile in the Town Hall, it moved to Spring street, 
and in 1842 erected a new church at the corner of High and 
Spring streets, which in turn gave way in 1876 to the pres- 
ent convenient and larger building on the same site. The 
first Roman Catholic church, St. Mary's, was erected in 
1 83 I, succeeded by the present substantial and commodious 
stone edifice in 1854. From this central church has sprung 
the flourishing parish of the Sacred Heart at the Weir, the 
Church of the Holy Family at East Taunton, and the 
French church of the Immaculate Conception at W^hitten- 
ton, the whole ministering to the wants of over seven thou- 
sand souls. The latest addition to our list is the Presb)-- 
terian society, which has just erected a fine stone house of 
worship on Washington street. These and some others, in- 
cluding the Advent Christian church, the chapel at Oakland, 
and that on Arlington and School streets, show a growth in 
our means and conveniences for religious culture quite equal 
to the development in our material and secular interests, and 
also demonstrate how eas\- it is for brethren of different 



68 QUARTER MILLENN*IAL CELEBRAtlON. 

religious names to dwell together in peace and unity. But 
amid all these successive additions to our churches and 
religious societies, the old mother church still lives, and 
embosomed in her emerald setting — never more attractive 
than on this day — she grows not dim with age, but on the 
contrary has just renewed her youth like the eagle, as if 
determined still to be called, as heretofore, " The First Con- 
gregational Society in Taunton. " 

taunton'.s progress from 1800 TO i860. 

In the orderly development of our subject we have nt)w 
reached the present century, at the opening of which Taun- 
ton had a population of only 3,860. Her principal manu- 
factures at that time were about three millions of brick, and 
iron ware of different kinds, to nearly 1,500 tons annually.^ 
Her growth during the first decade was hardly perceptible, 
gaining only about fifty inhabitants in the entire time, if we 
may trust the reported census. 

Her first mill for making cotton-goods, — the old 
Green Mill so-called, — was erected in 1806 on Weir street, 
near the bridge, largely by the enterprise of Capt. Silas 
Shepard who had a short time before moved here from 
Wrentham. Mr. Jesse Hartshorn, so long an admitted 
authority in that industry, was the expert practical assistant 
in this mill. * The Dean Cotton mill at Barehole, for mak- 
ing cotton yarn, was organized soon after, a former super- 
intendent of which Mr. Robert S. Dean, still goes in and out 
among us.- Then came the war of 1812, for which, though 
deeming it unwise and unnecessary, Taunton furnished three 
separate companies, mostly for coast guard duty, under 
Captains Silas Shepard, Seth Staples and Joseph Reed. 
This was her full quota of the 14,000 men raised by Massa- 
chusetts. 

1. See Appendix KK. 

•2. Since delivering, deceased in his 85th year. 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 69 

Soon after the return of peace, Taunton began to show 
signs of a new life, and the next fifty years exhibit a mark- 
ed advance in her industrial enterprises, and permanently 
established her character as a great and successful manufac- 
turing centre. Among her leading undertakings in that 
period we may especially note one great enterprise of those 
energetic business men, Messrs. Crocker and Richmond, who 
for many years swayed a powerful sceptre over every branch 
of industry in this town ; we mean, The Taunton Manufac- 
turing Company of 1823. Stretching, with its immense 
plant from Morey's Bridge to Weir street, it included there- 
in the extensive Calico Print Works, the first in this coun- 
try, the old Brick Mill on Washington street, the Hopewell 
Mills above, and also the original Whittenton Mill, parent 
of that magnificent establishment, the consummate manage- 
ment of which, with its fifteen hundred employes, has made 
it at once our boast and our pride. We may mention also 
the Oakland Mills of Capt. Shepard in 1827, the first can- 
ton fiannel factory in this vicinity, if not in the Common- 
wealth ; the extensive works of A. Field & Sons, and of the 
Taunton Tack Company, whose humble carpet tacks intro- 
duce our name into the palaces of presidents and princes, 
and whose united product exceeds that of any other place in 
the known world; the splendid establishment of Reed & Bar- 
ton, the successor of the first enterprise of the kind in 
America, which has done so much for our reputation at 
home and abroad, and whose elegant silver ware snatches 
the i)ri7.e from every competitor at the exhibitions of all na- 
tions; the Old Colony Iron Company of .1844, which 
through a long and prosperous career constituted with its 
fixe hundred hands the life and soul of East Taunton, in 
striking contrast with its present forlorn and deserted ap- 
pearance ; the Fhoenix Manufacturing Company for the 



yO OUAKTEK MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

manufacture of crucibles, the first of the kind in New Eng- 
land, and one of the first in this country, which has had the 
confidence and the contracts of our government for over 
half a century ; dividing in that time nearly $200,000 on a 
capital stock of only $30,000 ; the Taunton Locomotive 
Manufacturing" Company, one of the first establishments in 
the United States erected solely for the manufacture of 
locomotives, and whose thousand engines, by their careful 
construction and efificient and economical working, have ac- 
quired a high reputation throughout the country ; the Coj)- 
per Manufacturing Comjjany of Crocker Brothers & Com- 
pany, so long a brilliant and successful enterprise in our 
town, whose yellow sheathing metal, the first made in this 
country, has protected many a noble bark, as she threaded iier 
way amid "the dazzling glitter and the thundering crash of 
the icy ocean, or ploughed up the phosphoric light of the 
tropic seas." Finally, we refer to the Mason Machine Works 
of 1845, ill all its vastness, the product of whose cotton 
machinery hums her praise in every manufacturing district 
in our land ; whose swift-winged locomotives herald her 
taste and skill as they traverse the earth from California's 
Golden Gate to the spicy shores of Araby the Blest ; whose 
perfected printing presses already proclaim the glad tidings 
to the inhabitants of South America, the Zulus of South 
Africa, and to the far-off natives of Australia, and soon, in 
connection with those made b)' the Locomotive Company, to 
reach and enlighten all nations and kindreds and peoples and 
tongues from "Greenland's icy mountains " to " Lidia's coral 
strand. " 

These and many other business enterj)rises, nearl)- two 
hundred in number, the bare enumeration of which would 
exhaust your patience, couj)led with the fact that all our 
banks (except the new Savings Bank) first opened their 



IllSJOKICAI, ADDRESS. 7 I 

doors cluriii<;- the first half of this century, abundantly prove 
that notwithstanding" an occasional reverse, and even an oc- 
casional failure, these were the halcyon days of Taunton's 
prosperity, the impulse of which sent our population bound- 
ing up from about 7,000 in 1840 to over 15,000 in i860, 
and our rateable valuation from about $2,000,000 to nearly 
S8, 000,000 in the same period.' Hut our prospLTity was now 
to recei\e a check, before which all other disasters sink into 
insignificance. Suddenly our country found itself in the 
throes of a second birth, and all our cares, all our thoughts, 
anel all our prayers were needed for her preservation. 

TAUNTON IN THE REBELLION l86l-6S- 

Governor Andrews' order, under the President's call for 
se\'enty-five thousand men, reached Taunton on the morning 
of April 16, 1861. It found her lamps trimmed and burn- 
ing. Fortunately the Taunton Light Guard, Co. (i, had 
been organized si.\ years earlier, and before eleven o'clock of 
that dav were on their march, armed and equij^ped under 
Captain Timothy (lorclon, for the appointed rendezx'ous, the 
"Cradle of Liberty in Boston " It is to the lasting credit of 
Captain John H. Church, of this town, that upon hearing 
his country's call, he instantly resigned his business situa- 
tion and before eight o'clock that morning, had enlisted in 
Company (i, for the war; so far as known, the first volunteer 
in the Commonwealth, if not in the country. Others may 
have felt bound by marching orders; some may have gone 
as paid substitutes ; but Mr. Church of his own free will, 
unbidden by any superior, untempted by gold, unattracted 
even by the homage paid to military ofifice, left home, kin- 
dred and friends, to join, <'r.w? //-/TYr/r, the ranks of an ex- 
pedition, the ])erils of which no man knew. Was ever purer 
patriotism than this.' Mr. James M. Cushman, also (if this 

1. See Ai>i>eiuli.x LL. 



72 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

town, enlisted but a few minutes after Mr. Church, and is 
entitled to like praise; /(•rr nobilc fmtniin. 

The Light Guard, numbering fifty-eight officers and men, 
left Fall River, April 17th, on the steamer State of Maine, 
and at early dawn of the 20th, the first moment the stars 
and stripes could be seen floating from the flag-staff of the 
Fort, and on the same month, the same day, and almost the 
same hour at which its predecessors marched into Roxbury 
the morning after the battle of Lexington, did this, our first 
contribution to the war, land at Fortress Monroe, thus en- 
titling itself to the universally admitted honor of being the 
first northern company, and its commander the first northern 
captain, to set foot on rebel soil. It was also one of the 
first to be mustered into the nation's service, the Washing- 
ton Light Lifantry having preceded it by a few days only. 
Its timely arrival no doubt saved Fortress Monroe to the 
Union cause ; an event, the importance of which can hardly be 
over estimated. This company had the honor of being in 
the first field fight of the war, at Big Bethel, which might 
have resulted cjuite differently had they been properly sup- 
ported on the left and centre. The Light Guard not only 
did faithful duty in its three months' service in Virginia, but 
became a nursery of commanding officers, who made an ex- 
cellent record throughout the war; over a score of its mem- 
bers having risen to rank in other organizations ; among 
them Lieutenant Colonels Mason W. Burt and W'illard D. 
Tripp, Major Brown, and numerous captains and other of- 
ficers, many of whom are happily with us this da}' ; one at 
least, with his honorable scars, and without whom our city 
treasury could not well be : Capt. George A. Washburn. 
Another captain there was, universally acknowledged to be 
a brave soldier, an exemplary comrade, a christian patriot, 
who was last seen on earth at the head of his advancing 



HISTORICAL AOnKESS. 7'^ 

column, and "the place of whose sepulchre no man knoweth 
unto this day. " Inspired was he, inspired were they all, by 
that lofty motto inscribed on their colors by their first com- 
mander, " Fidelity to Duty, whenever it may call, wherever 
it may lead. " 

l^\ir the next four years what trials, what sacrifices, 
what anxieties, what sorrows, what alternations of hope and 
despair, was our good city called upon to endure. Her streets 
became recruiting stations, and her fields camping grounds. 
Fortunate was it for us that there then resided here a gradu- 
ate of West Point, who had done gallant service in the 
Mexican and Seminole wars, and who by his knowledge of 
military tactics enabled us to send forth one of the best 
equipped and best drilled regiments in the volunteer service. 
The 7th Regiment by its conduct on many a well fought 
field, reflected the highest credit on itself and its. fearless 
commander, who by his merit and bravery rapidly rose from 
a colonel to a brigadier, and thence to a major-general, tak- 
ing part in many desperate encounters, and on one occasion 
called to assume command of the entire arm\' of the 
Potomac ; afterwards entrusted with the Department of the 
Susquehanna, and later still with a division in the 23d Army 
Corps at Nashville and the subsequent operations in North 
Carolina ; on all occasions conducting himseli so well as to 
receive the approbation of President Lincoln, and a com 
l)limentary banquet from his appreciative townsmen. Need 
1 speak his name.' Major-General D. N. Couch. 

Through those long sad years Taunton constantly 
showed her devotion, not onl}- b}' steadil}' pouring her trea- 
sury into the nation's lap, but by sending forth, with their 
life in their hands, more than half her fighting men, and 
more than one-tenth of her entire population, including men. 



74 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

women and children.' How well they bore their part in that 
awful conflict, let Antietam, the Wilderness, Gaines' Mills, 
Fredericksburg Heights, nay, nay, let Port Hudson answer. 
Behold yonder memorial tablet, and through the mist that 
gathers in each eye, read as best you may its sad answer. 
George C. Ruby, Isaac Dean Paul, William H. Kartlett, and 
all ye who likewise fell, face toward the foe. Heroic Souls, I 
pray you answer ! Spirits of the Departed, where are ye ? 
Where an- ye ? 

" How sleep the Brave, who sink to rest, 
By all their country's wishes blest 1 
When Spring, with dewy fingers cold, 
Returns to deck their hallowed mold, 
She there shall dress a sweeter sod, 
Than Fancy's feet ha\e ever trod. 

"By fairy hands their knell is rung. 
By forms unseen their dirge is sung; 
There Honor comes, a pilgrim gray, 
To bless the turf that wraps their clay ; 
And Freedom shall awhile repair, 
To dwell, a v\eei)ing hermit, there." 

TAUNTON AS A CITN' 1865. 

\o doubt a town government is the simplest and purest 
democracy ; but beyond a certain limit it proves impracticable. 
Ami as oiu- fathers found a representative system neces- 
sary in the Sfcitc\ so does every populous town, in its own 
local government. It has its evils certainly, at j)resent ap- 
parently unavoidable, but every well governed city will seek 
to reduce them to the minimum. This impossibility of 
deliberately managing public affairs by the voters of a large 
town became so evident here, as it had elsewhere, that in the 
year 1864 our citizens with as much unanimity as could rea- 
sonably be expected under the circumstances, voted to adojjt 

1. Tiiuiitoii and lier citizens raised al)<)Ut $'.'00,000 for tlie war. Her poimlation in 
1860 wa.s 15,376, and she furnished for the army and navy 1652 men, not inelu'lins her 
sons who enlisted from other towns in tliis and other states, which wouhl swell the 
number to nearly two thousand men. 



IIISTOKICAL AOnKKSS. 75 

a city charter, which went into full operation on the 2(1 of 
January, 1865; and Taunton was thus enrolled as the thir- 
teenth city in the Commonwealth. In my opinion it was a 
favorable time to consider the expediency of resuming- her 
original name of Cohannet, but of this I may not be the 
best judge. 

The influence of a new municipal organization soon 
manifested itself in more orderly and systematic methods of 
business ; in a more efficient police ; a better ecpiipped fire 
department ; an increased expenditure for schools ; in a free 
public library, now containing about 30,000 volumes ; and 
later still in our efficient system of water works, so largel\- 
due to the energetic efforts of our then Senator, the Hon. 
William C. Lovering. From 1864 to the present time her 
industrial interests and prosperity, with some intermediate 
checks, have continued to advance, until she now has a pop- 
ulation estimated at over 26,000, and a valuation of nearly 
519,000,000. With her varied industries, her adxantageous 
position at the head of tide water, her well ec|uii)|)ed schools, 
her numerous churches, her man)- charitable and benevolent 
institutions for the aged and infirm in niind and bod\-, for 
which we owe so much to a lady's recent munificence,' what 
is to prevent, if we are true to oursehes, a steady increas- 
ing prosperity for the future ? 

l^^^ery thoughtful person will inquire whethei- oui- moral 
and intellectual ad\'ance is keeping pace with the growth ol 
our material and industrial interests. As our "silver and 
gold is multiplied, and all that we ha\'e is multiplied, " ha\e 
we correspondingl)' increased our faith, our sincerit\', oui- 
love of truth, temperance and purit)- of heart .^ is our 
moral fibre stronger, our obedience to the \-oice of conscience 

1. The Morton Hosiiital, prespiited by iMis. Siis;m Tillin^liast ( Morton i Kinili:ill, 
of Hcston. 



^6 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

quicker, our faith in eternal verities firmer than that of our 
Pilgrim sires ? Nay, are we in all respects holding our own ? 
But with our increased advantages, our more general intel- 
lectual culture, our marvelous progress in arts, science and 
manufactures, our better understanding of the laws of na- 
ture, our more general possession of useful knowledge, our 
greater freedom of thought and action, our increased re- 
sources for a broader and higher development in every de- 
partment of life, why should we be content with even what 
our fathers possessed ? J^\)rgetting those things which are 
behind, why not reach forth to those which are before ? 

"New occasions teach new duties; 'i'ime makes ancient good uncouth, 
They must upward still and onward, who would keep abreast of truth. 
Lo, before us gleam her camji-tires; We ourselves must pilgrims be. 
Launch our Mayflower, and boldly steer through the desperate winter sea, 
Nor attempt the Future's portal, with the Past's blood-rusted key." 

FINALLY. 

If we would elevate our city into that position in the 
Commonwealth which her situation and advantages fairly 
warrant ; if we would retain our acti\-e and enterprising- 
young men at home ; and attract intelligent and public 
spirited citizens from abroad ; if we would promote the high- 
est welfare of our busy people in their numerous and varied 
industries; if we would e\er feel a just pride in our Taunton 
citizenship, and hear her name ever)'where uttered with 
honor and respect, we should not only cultivate and develoj:) 
our business and industrial interests, but elevate and ad- 
\ance our moral, intellectual and social culture to the high- 
est possible standard, and especially strive "that all things 
may be so ordered and settled by our endeavors ujjon the 
best and surest foundations, that peace and happiness, truth 
and justice, religion and piety may be established among us 
for all generations. " Then shall our "sons grow up like 



FOF.M. J"] 

young plants, our dau.^htcrs Ix- as the polished corners of the 
temple ; then shall our y;arners be full and plenteous with all 
manner of store, our o.xen be strong- to labor, and our flocks 
bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our fields. I'hen 
shall there be no more hostile invasions, no more going forth 
to war, and no complaining about our streets. Happy, hap- 
py are the people that are in such a case! Yea, f.i.ksskd is 

THAI' PEOPLE WHOSE Goi) IS THE LORD ! " 



At the conclusion of the Historical Address, which 
without the appendixes, occupied two hours in its delivery 
and was listened to by the audience with the closest atten- 
tion; the "Star Spangled Banner," was sung by Mrs. Cora 
K. Rhodes, assisted by the chorus and orchestra, after which 
the poet of the day, Henry W. Colby, Esq., delivered the 
following : — 

1639. POEM. 



A staunch old proverb in parental tone 

Sagely remarks — "Let well enough alone;" 

The tale is told — and fitly told; what need 

That I, whose tribute must be weak indeed. 

Should dim, by thoughts whose lightness might profane, 

The charm these reminiscent hours contain ? 

But Fashion, with its many curious laws, 

Writes in its code an after-dinner clause, 

And this provides that though profuse the feast, 

Vet shall the list of viands be increased 

By adding superfluities thereto, 

To tempt the pampered appetite anew ; 



78 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

Thus was I summoned to this bounteous spread, 

Whose guests already have been overfed. 

Upon the chance presumption — we will say — 

That I might have some dainty stored away : 

And as the Jester at the kingly court. 

Must needs contribute to the festive sport. 

Though airy chaff and jokes but feebly made, 

Mav be, perchance, his only stock in trade. 

So 1, though neither king nor lord decree. 

Will all too gladly seal my loyalty. 

And, minus cap and bells, will forge and cast 

My link to chain the Present with the Past. 

Two centuries and a half have bottled up 

'i'he wine we pour to-day from memory's cup. 

And who may censure if the overflow 

Should swamp some champion's wit and lay him low? 

What would your ideal Yankee be without 

His proud prerogative to sing and shout ? 

Deal gently, then, with every awkward slip, 

if, in exuberance, the Muse should trip. 

And while it labors for the public weal. 

Forget its follies and applaud its zeal. 

What mines of thought they delve who backward reach 
'i'wo cycles and a half, a century each! 
F-ven the years one human life can span, 
Have almost seemed to change Creation's plan — 
So full our world, so barren must have been 
'I'he fields in which our sires were wont to glean. 
Trouble and hardship, danger and distress 
Haunted the old Colonial wilderness. 
And rose the morning sun from dav to dav, 



79 



Upon a bleak and almost cheerless way. 

Existence was no pastime played in bowers 

Of Fancy's framing decked with Fortune's Howers, 

Where ugly shadows in each pathway crept. 

And banished comfort even while they slept. 

IMeasure was shorn of all its keenest zest, 

And happiest moments were but feebly blest ; 

They saw not as have these — their children, seen- 

A Canaan with its fields of living green, 

Kach hour some new-born joy or glad surprise. 

And Earth reflecting gleams of Paradise. 

Within the narrow circle of their lot, 

They moved in line precise and faltered not. 

And welcomed hardship with a joyous pride, 

If but the Lord of hosts was satisfied. 

Could some Van-Winkle of that Pilgrim band 
Rouse from his lethargy at our command 
And stalk abroad upon the city street. 
Our programme of to-day had been complete, 
The pen of Irving would have cried a halt. 
And Jefferson's keen art have been at fault 
'l"o frame a picture of the waking dream 
Of one who thus should voyage Oblivion's stream. 
The swiftly passing years have wrought a change 
Beyond Imagination's widest range. 
And he in veriest truthfulness might say — 
*' A thousand years of his were as our day. " 
An age of Science has afiirnied its place. 
And Art is pressing Nature in the race. 
No longer is the restless soul content 
With blessing in its crudest element. 



8o QUARTER MILLENNFAL CELEBRATION. 

Rut Life is pouring on us to the fill, 

In untold measure of developed skill. 

A world of art, the landscape and the field 

In richer fullness of their harvests yield. 

The fruits that deck our Autumn's diadem 

With golden gems, were quite unknown to them ; 

Even the flower that by the wayside grew. 

Has changed its tint and wears a lovelier hue : 

From rudest plant that bloomed on sterile waste, 

A dozen cultured scions charm the taste. 

And fresh-born floriculture, rich and fair, 

Shall greet the wakened vision everywhere. 

\A'hat shall he think when even Nature moves 

In paths so foreign to her old-time grooves? 

With firm allegiance to the God he served, 

His faith in miracles had never swerved. 

But those were dimly scrolled on History's page — 

A mystic record of a far-off age, 

While here, beyond his senses to deny, 

Are marvels wrought before his very eye. 

Just for one moment bid your fancy scan 

The grim "and startled antiquarian : 

In mournful loneliness behold him stand 

A stranger in the strangest kind of land. 

Who might well doubt, 'mid scenes so quaint and queer. 

That ever he inhabited this sphere : 

His untrained senses work as in a dream 

And nineteenth-century chaos reigns supreme : 

In vain the veteran stretches eyes and ears 

For some familiar sign of other years; 

Was this the land that he was nurtured in — 



poKM. Si 

This restless race a portion of his kin ? 

Could modern genius with its mighty tread, 

Steal such a march above his slumb'ring head, 

And progress roll in such a tidal wave, 

Nor fail to start the sleeper in his grave? 

And whence these wonders — from a source Divine, 

Or strange devices sprung from Satan's mine ? 

For truly might this neophyte of ours 

Suspect the working of Satanic powers. 

Where every whim of daily life is hedged 

By some inventive process newly fledged : — 

Inventions often bearing on their face 

Suspicions of a diabolic trace. 

W'hat more infernal to a casual eye 

Than harnessed steam like fury dashing by, 

And whence these bound unless to Pluto's realm. 

Who, with some modern Stygian at the helm, 

Are stalking on at such a startling speed, 

Propelled by fiery breath of iron steed ? 

What arrant nonsense could be more complete. 

Than shouts the newsboy on the city street — 

"Evening Gazette — last issue — all about 

Some old-world king dethroned or counted out ? " 

Was ever stranger tale of fiction heard. 

Or could be human fancy more absurd — 

To hourly voice the beat of distant heart 

In lands so many thousand miles apart. 

And ascertain as with a lightning-flash 

The daily balance of our foreign cash? 

And yet, old friend, that doesn't tell it all. 

For hear yon chap "hallooing" at the wall. 



82 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

While ever}' whisper that his lips convey 
Is clearly listened to for miles away. 
Munchausen's monstrous tales are told anew, 
But modern sorcery has stamped them true ; 
The frozen music in his bugle-horn 
No more with empty echo mocks in scorn, 
Since Hoods of song and peal of merry laugh 
Betray the secrets of the phonograph. 
With every step and turn our Pilgrim takes, 
Some new and strange discovery he makes ; 
Along the old-time lanes the street-car wheels 
Press with bewildering clatter at his heels : 
The wayside saplings, shorn as though by fire, 
Are joined together by a web of wire, 
Whose pulsing lines, as arteries of thought, 
An instantaneous, world-wide voice has caught : 
The tick and stroke of omnipresent clock 
Salute his ear with nerve-disturbing shock ; 
He marked his hours, if we believe the yarn, 
By chasing solar shadows round the barn, 
Or if the sun for cause should fail to' tell. 
An hour-glass did the business quite as well. 
One glance within a photographic place, 
And lo ! his portrait stares him in the face. 
While vague remembrances of patience worn. 
Struggling with sullen fire on frosty morn. 
Mingled with other memories which wear 
A dangerous nearness with the verb " to swear, ' 
These all steal o'er him as his sen.ses catch 
Their first impressions of a friction-match. 
We have a proverb held in honored trust — 



POEM. 83 

"Thrice is he armed who hath his quarrel jusl;" 

We render this upon a broader plan, 

For six times armed is our revolver-man ; 

How old Miles Standish would have leaped for joy, 

Had he possessed our military toy, 

And Indian-hunting would have had a boom 

To hurry many a native's day of doom. 

" 'Twere hard to tell which shall impress the most, — 
The merits or the faults our age can boast; 
As every crown is mated with a cross. 
And Fate permits no gain without some loss. 
So shall our newly-wakened friend find cause 
To frown upon some strange and startling flaws ; 
Not all is gold that glitters, and, alas — 
Too often flaunts its substitute in brass ; 
Utopia still remains a distant dream 
Of inspiration for the poet's theme. 
And mighty strivings for the unattained, 
Leave present joys unnoticed or disdained. 
The press and push of Life leave little room 
For the old halcyon days of bud and bloom ; 
Scarce known is Youth ; the infant, in his pride. 
Has banished cradle, and in state doth ride ; 
Old-fashioned childhood lingers as a myth ; 
Twelve-year old Jack is known as Mr. Smith ; 
And half-grown urchins vaunt their manhood more 
Than did their ancient grandsires at four-score. 
Along with lavish luxury and taste 
March side by side extravagance and waste : 
From Cr(£sus' daily meal the crumbs alone 
Would make the old Thanksgiving table groan. 



84 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

And God is mocked in praying for the poor 

Too often hungering at the rich man's door. 

Confusing customs lacking seeming sense 

Crowd to the front with arrogant pretense ; 

Time was when honest people, it is said, 

Pronounced their prayers and tumbled into bed, 

And deemed a Christian's duty fairly done 

With business ended at the set of sun ; 

Not so with us, who entertain a freak 

Which makes existence vastly more unique ; 

Scouting at Nature's laws, which seem to mark 

Daylight for business, and for sleep the dark : 

We paralyze old customs and dragoon 

The work of morning into afternoon : 

Thus, paradoxical, our matinee' 

Puts in its claim the latter half of day: 

The proper dinner is an evening rout. 

And supper crowds to-morrow's breakfast out. 

Disturbing habits by tradition fixed. 

And rendering morn and eve a little mixed ; 

Hence doth our Pilgrim find the streets at night 

Aglow with modern-born electric light. 

Whose spectral rays glare at him as the ghosts 

Of fallen stars on lofty hitching posts. 

Note his amazed expression as he reads 
Emblazoned on our seal — " A woman leads ; '' 
Alas, what doubtful change of base is this 
That throws its shadow over human bliss .' 
It was not so in ages e're he slept 
When woman silence in the churches kept. 
And deemed her worldly mission best fulfilled 



85 



In following where her legal master willed; 

And yet, my dear and resurrected sir. 

Sadly have you misapprehended her, 

For verily, did not the record score 

Her leadership in Eden long before? 

\Miat if in part our speech belie our act 

And reads our motto fancy more than fact, — 

What if to-day we rest our strongest claim 

In kind perpetuation of her name. 

Through trade-mark or an advertising bill 

For pleasure wagon or a cotton-mill ? 

Hetter by far her memory thus embalmed 

Than on some stagnant wave of life becalmed. 

Whose many daughters, spinster though she was, 

Shall find a cheering music in the buzz 

( )f busy wheels, whose kind though rugged play 

Is charming poverty and want away. 

'Tis not the province of the bard to dwell 
Whereon the orator might better tell, 
Hut sundry notions of "Ye olden time," 
Inspire a passing comment from our rhyme. 
We read that "should the Governor-elect 
'i'hrow that high office into disrespect 
liy non-acceptance, when the public voice 
Through vote unanimous declared their choice, 
Due cause for declination he must show 
( )r pay a fine of twenty pounds or so. " 
Let modern statesmen ruminate on that. 
When next they pass their office-seeking hat; 
With contrite heart look back upon an age 
When politicians scrambled not for wage, 



86 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

And when desire for high position had 
Small charm to lure your Puritanic dad. 
If Governors were priced at twenty pounds, 
What limit, think you, of financial bounds 
Would circumscribe, at proper market rate 
Some of our minor officers of state, — 
Whose Titan struggles for official loaves. 
Would strip the laurels from a dozen Joves? 

Among old penalties for slips from grace, 
We find this pointer stares us in the face ; — 
Shirking church service cost the absentee 
In form of fine, a round ten-shilling fee. 
From this small straw we find the truth evolved 
Concerning one old problem long unsolved ; 
Why those grim saints should take such keen delight 
In service, morning, afternoon and night. 
Was never quite apparent till we read 
The old colonial statutes on that head, 
For, facts and premises brought down to us. 
We reasoned to a fair conclusion thus — 
If we, whose Sabbath homes are all aglow 
With every comfort that a soul can know. 
And piety by dint of fashion's aid. 
Combines devotion with a dress-parade. 
Where inspiration generates in style, 
Within some gorgeous architectural pile. 
Upon whose sunlit panes the artist paints 
His grotesque fancies of the honored saints, 
(Creating pictures, which to unschooled eyes 
Are those of angels in extreme disguise. ) 
\\"\{h more than kind provision made for those. 



POKM. 87 

Who wish religion mingled with repose, — 

The studied comfort of luxuriant pews, 

Where rhyme and reason both suggest a snooze, 

While padded floors as Howery beds of ease. 

Turn most invitingly to bended knees. 

With cultured choir, who render in their s/ni///s, 

All shades of meaning which that noun contains ; 

And last, though not by any means the least, 

The easy eloquence of gifted priest, 

Whose rarely used anathemas are hurled 

With much discretion at the outside world, 

Thereby implying that his favored Hock 

Are no prospective part of Satan's stock, 

If all this panoply of Christian art 

Wake not devotion in the modern heart, 

What strange inducement, human or divine 

Compelled attendance at the Pilgrim shrine ? 

Surely not comfort lured the devotee 

In paths, where, plainly, comfort could not be, 

Nor could the ancient preacher's threatening tones 

Bring balm of soothing to the sinner's groans 

The charm of music held but little part. 

And e'en that little seldom reached high art, 

^\'here voices unattuned launched into song 

And dragged all shades of melody along. 

Hut here the record haply solves the doubt 

And lets a long mysterious secret out. 

Who questions that a moderate fine to-day 

Might guide and keep us in the better way 

And just the faintest touch of sacrifice 

Develop light for our beclouded eyes.^ 



; OUARTEK MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

Is there not danger that the Christian song — 
" Salvation's free, " is pitched a little strong, 
As each one knows that what he values most 
Is so esteemed with some regard to cost ? 

Another freak of Pilgrim enterprise 
Forbade those Sabbath saints to close their eyes, — 
The which was judged a pious breach of peace, 
To be reported to the town police. 
The old police at times were busy men, 
If sermons now are types of sermons then ; 
And this stirs up the point we wish to state, — 
That naps in church are subjects for debate : 
Why should the pulpit 'scape its proper due 
And all the odium fall upon the pew ? 
Cause and effect as equal factors pose. 
Which quite explains the wearied layman's doze. 
And he who cannot keep his Hock awake 
May fairly rate his calling a mistake. 

Ah, well, the wayward world must have its joke 
Though souls are weary and though hearts be broke 
Tis well to banish carking care awhile. 
And solace sorrow with a sunny smile. 
Pleasure and pain are proper counterparts — 
A twin-born heritage of human hearts, 
And whether sadness shrouds us with its spell, 
Joy has its compensating claims as well. 
Life lacks in flavor did we not admit 
The sauce of humor and the spice of wiL 
And if our Pilgrim fathers seldom smiled 
Or merrily their weary hours beguiled. 



89 



Then do their virtues claim a brij^hler hue, 

Rertected through an atmosphere so blue. 

Methinks our age in this has wiser grown 

And taken on a better, healthier tone ; 

No longer is the solemn phiz a sign 

Of any kinship to a life divine, 

Nor do funereal features guarantee 

Their owner's conscience altogether free ; 

Even the parson airs his pun with grace 

And smiles adorn the worthy deacon's face ; 

Dramatic art, so long beneath the ban, 

No longer horrifies the Puritan, 

And Shakespeare's shadows — (or Lord liacun's — which?) 

Are Hitting almost in the cloister's niche. 

It were an easy task to jog along 
In simple verse and never-ending song: 
The brain revolves as doth a school-boy's top, 
And once in motion scarce knows when to stop. 
Hour after hour the Muse might ramble on 
Amid the shadows of the days agone. 
And newer thoughts and fresher fancies still 
Would throng Imagination's path at will : 
Vast is the theme and worthy of the pen 
Of loftiest flight among the poet-ken : 
If but a master hand might press the ke\s 
That chime our rich heroic harmonies. 
Bringing the glories of the Past to view 
In tints which I, poor limner, cannot do 
'I'hen were a picture drawn so grandly fair, 
That all the world with pride its fame might share : 
JUit 1 must deem my tribute fittest paid 



90 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

Through thought unspoken and with word unsaid, 

Content am I to chant in lighter lays 

And wake the echos of more peaceful days. 

Nor were our genealogic jubilee 
Complete, unless we climb the family tree 
And greet those scions who have held aloof 
So many years from the maternal roof : 
For Taunton was a mother-town, forsooth. 
With wayward children in their earlier youth. 
Who needs must fold their tents and, Arab-like. 
For fresher fields and newer pastures strike, 
And in their fond conceit to go alone. 
Must set up little townships of their own. 
Around the hearthstone of their childhood's home. 
'I'hey need no welcome, bidding them to come. 
For in the free and easy reach of all. 
Our latchstring hangs upon the outer wall ; 
The mother-heart in self-complacent mood 
Has only plaudits for her wandering brood 
And grants them, with no small degree of pride. 
A place of honor by the parent's side. 

Perchance, when two more centuries shall have flown. 
And with the Past our Present shall be known. 
( )ur children's children with their speech and song 
Shall meet and pass these compliments along: 
\\"\{h rev'rent hand shall take the volume down. 
Which tells the story of the grand old town. 
While we, as Pilgrims of a later age. 
Shall furnish copy for the second page. 
And will they, think you, as our names are told, 



91 



Weave with our memories some threads of gold ? 

Will they in truthfulness find voice to say 

As we have boasted of our sires to-day ? 

Shall they, as we have done, a story tell, — 

That for our day and age, we builded well, 

Or must their bard, with fetter on his tongue, 

In kindness leave our eulogy unsung? 

Duty enlarges with advancing years : 

Louder our call than that which reached the ears 

Of those whose narrow pathway day by day, 

Within the handbreath of a circle lay; 

Shall our ten talents, coined of brightest gold. 

For lack of use grow dim with rust and mould, 

Nor richer harvest reap than they have done. 

To whom the Master trusted with but one ? 

And here a lesson read, you whose life's toil 

Has been a struggle mainly for its spoil — 

You who have gathered honey all your lives 

Like human bees in mercenary hives — 

W'ho, from some chance-born height of vantage place. 

Have looked not Fate but Fortune in the face — 

Feeding with golden spoons from Mammon's plates. 

With little thought of Earth's unfortunates, — 

By so much more as Fortune's friendly smile, 

Through kindly Providence hath blessed your while 

Above those patient souls whose lot was cast 

Within a barren and unfruitful past, 

So presses with an unrelenting claim, 

A call of duty which to shun is shame. 

Of what avail the wealth of millionaire. 

Whose days are freighted with a world of care, 



g2 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

If increased riches open not the door 

For love and charity in greater store ? 

If merely coiniting dollars were a joy, 

Then blest indeed the banker's office-boy. 

Whose fortune, though it scarce conceals his rags, 

Is quite the equal of old Moneybags. 

The rich may live and die : what better they. 

Lifeless and earth-bound than the common clay, 

And hath not Scripture, as the text is given, 

Almost denied to such the hope of Heaven ? 

Let new-born inspiration from this hour, 

Lend to your gold a more benignant power: 

Break the charmed circle which has wrought this spell 

Of loving wealth, not wisely, but too well, 

And grant the crowning grace our city needs 

To round the record of her better deeds. 

Enlarge her charities and hush the sneers 

'Hiat all too often smite our tingling ears : 

With liberal hand endow the sick man's home. 

Within whose portals health and hope may com e; 

Be more than generous — be just to those 

Who saved your country from your country's foes ; 

Spanning these many years of retrospect. 

It seems a sorry and a strange neglect. 

That bade those heroes in despondent mood. 

No longer wait their city's gratitude : 

May those who ring the next centennial bell 

With happier voice than ours their story tell 

Of monumental benefactions strewn 

In every path where want or need is known. 



93 



Tjids me afford your patient ears relief ; 

Yet would I, ere I set my task aside, 

Pledge the old hamlet with a loyal pride; 

Forever be her memories a joy 

Beyond all hostile fortune to destroy ; 

In hours of needed rest from toil, I find 

Her charm of peacefulness exceeding kind ; 

I'he trees that shade her pleasant streets and ways, 

A lingering vestige of the earlier days, 

Are gladsome in the eyes of those who prize 

The bounteous gifts which Nature's hand supplies ; 

The fields o'er which I rambled when a lad, 

I'hen only with the simplest verdure clad, 

Have laid aside their coat of native green. 

And happy home-life paints anew the scene; 

Those modest cottage-homes and garden-plots 

Are more than brown-stone fronts and city lots. 

" God made the country and man made the town, " 

The scribe of poesy hath written down. 

And though both town and country God hath willed. 

And each with tokens of His goodness filled. 

Vet rustic Nature wears a happier face 

Than ever shone from out the market-place. 

Peace be within thy walls fair home of ours. 
And prospering airs possess thy sheltering bowers ; 
And as the coming generations ring 
The changes that successive epochs bring. 
May there be written, never less than now, 
A fond, maternal welcome on thy brow. 
As an old homestead to the wearied heart. 
Of all things else remains a joy apart, 



94 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELERRATION. 

Reaching with outstretched hand to every son, 

Though he be prodigal or prudent one, 

So may this homestead of a larger kin, 

With Memory's echoes lure her children in : 

May there be tender voices in each breeze 

That waves with rustling ripple through her trees ; 

Sermons in every rock and stone, which preach 

With more than human eloquence of speech ; 

Books in her lakes and brooks, whose magic lore 

Charms as a loving study evermore. 

And good in all that tells us Nature's truth, 

Which never quite betrays the dreams of Youth, 

But ever and anon lights up the path 

That leads the toiler toward Life's aftermath. 

And he must senseless be and dull indeed, 

Who in his Autumn hours has failed to read 

Among the lessons that his years have brought, 

That none were plainer or more kindly taught, 

Than that which writes the home that gave him birth 

As one among the dearest spots on earth. 



The closing hymn America was then sung with telling 
effect by the Beethoven Society and the great assemblage, 
accompanied by Reeves' Band, after which Rev. Charles H. 
Learoyd pronounced the 



BENEDICTION. 



The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep 
your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of (iod, and of 
His son Jesus Christ our Lord ; and the Blessing of God Almighty, 
the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you, and 
remain with you always. Amen. 



Mt' 




NECK OF LAND, 
A Business Centre in the Oldcu Ti 




f^nwh-Hmi^.Bf 



ANCHOR FORGE, 

The Original Taunton Iron Works. 



THE BANQUET. 



At the conclusion of the exercises in Music Hall, car- 
riages were at hand to convey the invited guests of the city 
to Agricultural Hall, on the Bristol County I'^air Grounds, 
for the appointed Banquet, served in admirable style b}' the 
lenowned caterer, T. D. Cook of Boston. 

Plates were laid for six hundred persons, and that num- 
ber were supposed to be present. The Hall was tastefull}' 
decorated and music was furnished by Reeves' American 
Band. 

After the company were seated. Mayor Hall invited 
Rev. John P. Forbes, pastor of the First Congregational 
Society, Taunton, to invoke a Divine Blessing, which he did, 
as follows : — 

() thou, who wast and art and art to come, we bow before 
thee in spirit. Age after age thy children seek thee and find that 
of thy faithfulness and mercy there is no end. V\'e reverently 
thank thee for all the blessings which we enjoy. Deeply mindful 
of the hardship, the sacrifice and the noble fidelity of our Fathers, 
— we pray that we, thy servants, may be strong and true to do the 
work laid upon us, that every good we have received from the past 
may be bettered in our hands, and sacredly preserved for the fu- 
ture. Humbly we ask that thy Kingdom may come and thy will be 
done in our beloved land and in all the earth. And as thine is 
the honor and the glory, so shall the praise be thine, forever and 
ever. Amen, 



C)6 OUAKTEK MILLENNIAL CELEDRATION. 

When amjile justice had been done to the bountiful sup- 
ply of delicacies provided for the occasion, the President of 
the Day, Mayor Hall, introduced the post-prandial exercises 
in the following^ fitting words : — 

Ladies mid Gentlemen : — 

We are observing to-day a festival of great interest to our 
city. Taunton may well feel proud of her long and success- 
ful career. Her sons and daughters returned home on this, 
her 250th Anniversary, may well exchange mutual greetings and 
congratulations. 

Proper indeed was it to commence the festivities of this occa- 
sion by a historical review of our past, and the recital of our rec- 
ord in verse. 

Proper indeed is it, then, to gather around these tables, to 
pledge the health of old Taunton and wish her long life and pros- 
perity. It is not for me, however, to occupy the time of the guests 
here assembled ; that duty falls to the lot of abler hands than 
mine. I have the pleasure to present to you our toastmaster. an 
honored citizen. Judge William Henry Fox. 

Judge Fox, on being thus introduced, proceeded to say : 

M?'. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen : — 

Let me proceed at once to the duties assigned me, which 
consist chiefly in applying the torch to the howitzers all about 
me which are loaded to the muzzle and stand waiting to be 
fired. They will make a tremendous report, and doubtless hit the 
mark ; but we will not be alarmed, ladies, for they will fire over 
our heads and will not hurt us ; for they are firing at their ances- 
tors to-day, and they ought to aim high. Our first sentiment is as 
follows: — 

The President of the United States: — The chosen head 
of a nation whose corner stone is yonder Plymouth Rock, 

"Oh, Land of Lands: to thee we give 
( )ur prayers, our hopes, our service free; 

For thee thy sons shall noi)ly live, 
And at thy need, shall die for thee. "' 

The President, in response to an invitation tendered 
hini to join these festivities, replies as follows : — 



THE BANQUET. ' 9^ 

Executive Mansion, Washington, 

April 27, 1889. 
Dear Sir : — 

The President directs me to acknowledge the receipt of your 
note of the 24th inst., enclosing an invitation to attend the 250th 
Anniversary of the founding of Taunton, Mass., and to convey to 
the committee, through you, his sincere thanks for the courtesy. 

He desires me to say that it would give him much pleasure 
to be present on this historic occasion, and he appreciates the 
friendly terms in which you urge his acceptance, but his public 
duties will most likely prevent him from leaving the Capital at the 
date of your celebration. 

Very Respectfully Yours, 

E. W. Halford, 

Private Secretary. 
Rev. S. Hopkins Emery, 

Secretary of Committee *of Invitation, Taunton, Mass. 

The Vice-President who gave us strong encouragement 
to hope for his presence, has at last found it impossible to 
be with us. But he has sent us an interesting letter which 
I will read. 

Rhinecliff, N. Y., May 27th, 1889. 
Gentlemen: — 

I have delayed a reply, hoping to be able to accept the 
cordial invitation with which I have been honored, to be present 
and join in your Anniversary celebration on the 4th and 5th of 
June. 

It would give me great pleasure to visit your beautiful and 
enterprising city on the 250th Anniversary of its settlement as it 
would also to visit your neighbors at Middleboro', where my 
ancestors and some of their descendants have lived since Cieorge 
Morton landed at Plymouth in 1623, but 1 regret extremely to find 
that it will be impossible for me to avail myself of the generously 
proffered hospitalities of the City of Taunton on so interesting an 
occasion. 



98 QUARTER MII.I.ENNIAL CEI.F.HR ATIOX. 

With the best wishes for the perfect success of your cele- 
bration, in which 1 naturally take deep interest, and hearty con- 
gratulation upon the marvellous progress of Taunton during the 
two hundred and fifty years that have passed, 
1 have the honor to be, gentlemen. 

Very faithfully and truly yours, 

Lf.vi p. Morton. 

Messrs. Richard Henry Hall, Samuel Hopkins Emery, John 
Williams Dean Hall, William Eddy Fuller, Henry Morton Lovering 
and George Albert Washburn, (,'ommittee on Invitations. 

There is no more attractive town in New England than 
East on, a part of our "North Purchase." We all know 
that she owes her prosperity and her beatity very largely to 
the thrift and enterprise and the munificent generosity and 
public spirit of the elder Oliver Ames, his sons and his 
grandsons. 

We welcome our Chief Magistrate to-da)', not merely 
on account of the high office which he so gracefully fills, but 
also because he is a son of Easton, and so, by derivation, a 
son of Taunton. I give you — The Commonwealth of Mas- 
sachusetts ; — and present to you His Excellency the Gov- 
ernor. 

RE.SPONSE BV GOVERNOR AMES. 
Friends atut iVei^hbors : — 

For three months past, by the advice of my physician, I 
have denied myself the pleasure of attending many gatherings of 
my fellow-citizens, and against his protest I am here to-day. Hav- 
ing had my residence from my birth in the town of Easton, which 
for over sixty years was a part of your territory, known as the 
Taunton North Purchase ; being familiar from my childhood with 
all that affects you : knowing a large number of you personally and 
a larger number by reputation ; I could not refrain from joining 
with you in celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the fcnniding of 
the town of Taunton. 

I am here to-day as Governor of the Commonwealth, and 
in her name I bring to you the congratulations of all-her^eople. 



THK I5ANOITET. 99 

They see in your city an example of what a New England com- 
munity should be, and with you they rejoice that you have had so 
many years of corporate existence, that you have employed them 
so usefully, and that there is so much of promise for you in the 
future, 'ihe future of a community in which the distinctively 
New England qualities of thrift, enterprise and honesty are en- 
couraged and maintained cannot be doubtful. 

But I come to you to-day as a neighbor and friend, as well 
as Governor of the Commonwealth, and I desire to say to you a 
few friendly words, rather than to talk to you officially. During 
my boyhood and early manhood 1 saw much of Taunton and its 
people, and 1 have always taken an interest and felt a pride in all 
that concerns them. Forty years ago, Taunton was the place at 
which my father's firm shipped much of their manufactured goods, 
and at which they did their banking. I w^as constantly visiting it 
in their service. Although the building of railroads and other 
causes have so changed the channels of business that Taunton is 
of much less importance to me in a business way, still I see here 
a centre around which cluster not only the memories of the past 
but the living interest of the present. 

As lime has gone by 1 have seen your village grow into a city 
and your prosperity steadily increase. I have watched the growth 
of your manufacturing interests, and I have seen them grow from 
small beginnings to a magnitude of which any community may 
well be emulous. Your business men are enterprising and public 
spirited; your workers are energetic and cheerful; your homes are 
comfortable and happy ; your streets are safe and peaceful ; you 
have the advantages which churches and schools and other educa- 
tional agencies provide. You are, as a whole, a prosperous and 
happy people and in your prosperity and happiness your neighbors 
share. 

Your mission is not by any means ended. You have seen 
two hundred and fifty years of growth and prosperity. While 
your people remain what they have been and what they now are, 
you will continue the career of usefulness and prosperity upon 
which you have so well proceeded. 

The Judiciary of Massachusetts: — Honored at home; 

respected wherever the English language is spoken. With 

affectionate pride the mother town receives back to his 

childliood's home to-day, a son whose distinguished career 

Lire 



lOO QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

has added luster to an already eminent name. I have the 
honor to present our Chief Justice, the Honorable Marcus 
Morton. 

RESPONSE BY HON. MARCUS MORTON. 
Mr. President., Ladies attd Gentlemen : — 

One of the blessings of an occasion like this, is that it opens 
the hearts of all the inhabitants of the town and makes them 
hospitably and kindly disposed, not only toward each other, but 
especially toward us who are present on this interesting anniver- 
sary, revisiting the home of our fathers. I have been deeply 
touched, as I have moved about among you, by the hearty hand 
shakes and the cordial welcome which I have received on every 
side. As Judge Fox has said, I am Taunton born and bred; this 
is my native place, the home of my youth, and as I stand here 
to-day, I feel deeply the truth of the poet's thought, that however 
far we may wander, whatever new ties and associations, and inter- 
ests we form, the heart turns fondly to the old home. 

It has been assigned to me to respond to the toast to 
"The Judiciary of Massachusetts." I might enlarge upon the 
dignity and importance, the duties and responsibilities of that 
important department of our government. 

But, to-day, naturally, Taunton is uppermost in the thoughts 
of all, and I have thought that it would not be out of place if I 
devoted the few minutes allotted to me to the pleasant task of 
calling to your minds the part which Taunton has had in furnish- 
ing judges for the service of the commonwealth since the adop- 
tion of the constitution. 

Two of your citizens have been judges of our highest judicial 
tribunal, Robert Treat Paine and Marcus Morton. The former 
was a justice of the Supreme Court, from 1790 to 1804, when he 
resigned. 

Judge Bennett in his interesting and exhaustive address, de- 
livered before you this morning, has so eloquently set forth the 
great patriotism and judicial services of Judge Paine that it leaves 
nothing for me to add. 

Marcus Morton was a justice of the same court from 1825 
to 1840, when having been elected governor, he resigned his office 
as judge. 

He held the nearest and dearest relation to me and it is 
more fitting that others should speak of him; but I hope I may 
say that his services in this great othce and in the other public 
trusts committed to him, were such as to reflect no discredit upon 



THE BANQUET. lOF 

the town of his adoption and love. Coming to the other courts, I 
can speak with less reserve. I can add nothing to the just and 
glowing tribute paid by Judge Bennett, in his address, to the pat- 
riot, soldier and jurist, David Cobb, who was a judge of the Court 
of Common Pleas in the latter part of the last century. A few 
years later another eminent citizen, Samuel Fales, was for several 
years a judge and chief justice of the Court of Common Pleas. 
This court was then a county court, having jurisdiction only in 
the County of Bristol. Ini82i our judicial system was reorgan- 
ized and the Court of Common Pleas for the Commonwealth was 
established. The governor was to appoint " four meet persons, " 
to be justices, who, in the quaint language of the statute, "shall be 
men of sobriety of manners and learned in the law. " 

Of the four justices first appointed, John Mason Williams of 
Taunton was one. He served as justice until 1839, when he was 
promoted to be chief justice and continued to serve in that 
capacity until 1844, when he resigned. Judge Williams met the 
requirements of the statute in every respect. He was a man of 
abundant learning in the law, and of the highest character, of un- 
impeachable integrity and purity, of great dignity of demeanor 
and of unfailing courtesy of manner. It may sound like very high 
praise, but 1 have heard members of the bar, who practiced before 
him, assert that we never had, in our courts, a man who on the 
whole, was more competent and satisfactory as a ;//>/ />rius judge. 
Permit me to read a short extract from an address made to him 
on the last day on which he presided in court. It was made on 
behalf of the bar by the Hon. Samuel Dunn Parker, who was one 
of the ablest lawyers of the state, a man of severe judgment and 
not given to Hattery. Speaking of the impending retirement of 
the chief justice, he says: — "This is an event we cannot but 
deeply lament, as we in common with others in every county of 
the commonwealth have for a quarter of a century admired the 
undeviating impartiality, the extensive learning, the gentlemanly 
courtesy, the sound and lucid exposition of the law, the perennial 
dignity, the uncommon ability and untiring industry with which 
for that length of time you have discharged the judicial function 
to the satisfaction and benefit of your fellow citizens. " 

These are very eulogistic words, but not strained or undeserv- 
ed. They express the sentiments and feelings of the bar. Taun- 
ton has reason to be proud of Chief Justice Williams, as one of 
her most useful and eminent citizens. 

Chief Justice Williams resigned in 1844. In the following 
year Harrison Gray Otis C'olby was appointed a judge of the Com- 
mon Pleas Court, Although gt the time a resident of New Bed- 



I02 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

ford, he is most known as a member of the bar of Taunton where 
for many years he was an able and successful lawyer. He remain- 
ed upon the bench but two years and was an able and useful 
judge. From this time for many years, Taunton had no represen- 
tation upon the bench. 

In the meanwhile, in 1859, the Superior Court was established 
to take the place of the Court of Common Pleas. This is a 
court of great dignity and importance. It is the great trial court 
of the Commonwealth. Of all the jury cases tried in the state, I 
presume ninety per cent, are tried in this court, 'iliere is no 
position in the civil service of the state in which it is more im- 
portant to have for judges men, not only learned in the law, but of 
sound sense and good judgment, and especially of the capacity 
rapidly to apply the principles of law to the ever varying circum- 
stances of the cases as they arise before them. The state is fortu- 
nate in having on this court so able and efficient a body of judges. 

To this high position Chester Isham Reed of Taunton was 
appointed in 1867. Many of you will remember him as an ac- 
complished and genial gentleman, and as an able and successful 
lawyer. He carried to the bench the same genial and courteous 
traits of character and was respected and beloved as a judge. 
Unfortunately he remained upon the bench but a few years, resign- 
ing in 187 1, but long enough to demonstrate his capacity to make 
one of our most useful and able judges. 

In speaking of the judiciary of Massachusetts, I ought not to 
overlook one branch of the judicial department, which is by no 
means of secondary importance, I mean the Probate Courts of our 
several counties. When you reflect that as often as once in every 
generation of men the whole personal property of the state passes 
under the administration of these courts, vou will aj^preciate 
their value and the importance of having learned and able judges, 
of good sense and judgment and knowledge of affairs to preside 
over them. 1 feel some delicacy as to what I am about to say, as 
it touches one who is present with us to-day. But surely in at- 
tempting to speak of the wise and able judges which your town 
has furnished, it would be an act of injustice to omit that ac- 
complished citizen of Taunton, who for nearly a quarter of a cen- 
tury was the Judge of Probate of the County of Bristol. Massa- 
chusetts never had a better Judge of Probate than Judge Edmund 
H. Bennett. 

I will detain you no longer. I have accomplished my pur- 
pose if I have shown that our good old town has a right to feel a 
just satisfaction and pride in the able judges which she has fur- 
nished to the service of our Commonwealth. 




MORTON I ,.._.. : 

Formerly the Residence of Gov. Marcus Morton. 




CITY HALL. 



THE BANQUET. IO3 

The Pilgrims: — Two hundred and sixty-ci^ht years a^o, 
perhaps this \ery month, Cohannet first felt the step of the 
white man. It was then that Edward Winslow and Stephen 
IIoj)kins took their long and perilous tramp from IMymouth, 
through these wilds, jjossibly across this \ery field, to the 
shore of Narragansett ]-?ay, to meet King Massasoit. My 
history fails me here. They may have been reporters going 
to interview the King on the tariff question, but in the light 
of modern history, it seems to me more likely that they 
were seeking for ofifice under the new administration. But 
there is a learned gentleman present who can tell us moi'e 
about the Pilgrims than the rest of us have ever dreamed of 
and I take pleasure in pre.senting the Rev. Dr. Henry M. 
Dexter, who will speak for them. 

RESPONSE V.\ KEN'. I)K. IIIlNKN' M. DEXIEK. 

I assume, sir, that in the few momenls allotted nic there is no 
desire that 1 thresh again the old straw of a general historic ques- 
tion. IJy this time the world, so far as it has appetence for 
such matters, has learned: — In the first place, that the /'///vA^z/y 
were serious-minded Englishmen of the i6th and 17th centuries, 
who felt that the great business of life is to serve God, while such 
genuine service demanded that those ancient forms which the 
Church of England had inherited from Rome be pruned of excres- 
cences, purged of idolatries, and vitalized by fresh genuineness and 
zeal, in the second place, that the separatists were Puritans who 
saw no other way of sincere living but to leave their old church, 
even if they had to leave their old homes, that they might obey 
the word of God. And in the third place, that the Pi/f^rims were 
Puritan separatists, who, not content with a tolerated and toler- 
able. \et restricted and unfruitful existence among the somewhat 
meager, if kindly, hospitalities of Holland, yearned to live again 
under their old Hag; to render service, on some remote shore, 
even to that conceited bigot who occupied the English throne, 
whose sense of justice and whose utmost stretch of royal benignit} 
exhausted themselves in the surly suggestion that possibly he 
might turn his majestic head the other way and not see them if 
they ried across the sea ; and to do something, if God would help 
them, — even humbly and but as stepping stones unto others — for 



I04 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

the performing of so great a work, in advancing the kingdom 
of Christ among the savages of this wilderness. Such Puritan 
separatists as these, were the Pilgrim Fathers of this Old Colony. 

It is usual to take a text for a sermon. I reverse the pro- 
cess, and take a sermon for my text. 

I hold in my hand an original copy of the first discourse ever 
preached in Taunton which attained to the dignity of type; deliv- 
ered here so early as on I'hursday, 23 July, (2 Aug.,) 1640. This, 
you will observe, was a few days more than nineteen years after the 
first white feet— of Edward VVinslow and Stephen Hopkins — passed 
this way on their rough pilgrimage to the wigwam of Massasoit at 
Sowams, and but nine days more than a year and a month later 
than that formal settlement of Cohannet which we now com- 
memorate. 

It is entitled, New England's Teares for old England's Feares, 
by William Hook, sometime of Axmouth in Devon, now of Taun- 
ton in New England ; and was delivered — it may have been under a 
spreading oak — it being "a day of Public Humiliation, appointed 
by the churches in behalf of our native country in lime of feared 
dangers. " You will recall the circumstances which led the way. 
Charles I., obstinately bent both on doing foolish things, and on 
doing all things in a foolish way, had reduced himself to penury 
by one brief campaign against the rebellious Scots. After the 
longest interval known to English history — an interval crowded 
with every conceivable form of illegal exaction — Parliament had 
met again at Westminster, simply because money must be had, 
and could be had only by an act of the Commons. But vexed be- 
cause they talked of grievances instead of voting subsidies, the 
hasty and petulant monarch suddenly dissolved the session and 
sent the members home to breed discontent in all the land. The 
last ships which had come over had brought tidings of this — of 
the popular commotion ; of the fact that the king was raising an- 
other army to march into the north, having squeezed the money 
therefor — which London flatly refused to lend him — by a forced loan 
from the nobility and gentry; and that the whole air of England 
was thick with premonitions of civil war. Archbishop Laud was 
still on his high horse, and the star chamber was recklessly fining 
whom it pleased thousands of pounds, setting them in the pillory, 
cutting off their ears and slitting their noses — for daring to act as 
if their souls were their own. 

These were the tidings — thirty or forty days old. What might 
already have followed nobody dared to imagine; and such was the 
situation, 



THE BANQUET. IO5 

There were then four and twenty churches within the bounds 
of the Massachusetts and the Plymouth colonies; eij^hteen in the 
former, and six in the latter. These churches appointed a day of 
fasting and prayer. 

But it should be understood and remembered that in these 
colonies there was, and for sometime had been, remarkable pros- 
perity. The Pequot war had been well ended, to great content. 
The "proud opinions" that a short time before had risen up to 
disturb everybody with the familistic troubles had subsided. The 
churches had peace. For plenteous harvests the land had never 
known the like, so that, so far as all new English affairs went a 
great Thanksgiving would have been in order, without waiting for 
the last Thursday of November. 

But our Fathers appointed a Fast, and I tell you that a Fast 
meant something then. Base ball games, shooting matches, fishing 
excursions, hunting up summer board and the like amusements 
were as yet undeveloped as accepted methods of hallowing the 
occasion. To appoint a Fast then meant to the entire community 
the giving up of a whole secular day to public religious service. 
Gov. Winthrop tells us [Journal 11:13] that the ship Mary Rose, of 
Bristol, Fng., recently come in from sea and lying in the stream, 
on 27 July, (6 Aug.,) 1640 — and chat was the Monday after the 
Thursday of this very Fast — blew up by the never accounted for 
explosion of twenty-four barrels of powder in her hold, killing the 
captain and nine or ten of his men, with four or five strangers, 
one man alone escaping with life. Winthrop intimates that "the 
judgment of God appeared in this, because, alone of all the ships 
in the harbor, this captain had neglected with his crew to attencl 
the public Fast service, saying when remonstrated with, that '* he 
had as good a service aboard as they had ashore. " 

Now, one can see a little what kind of men these first settlers 
of Taunton were, in this, that while their infant settlement was 
yet in the gristle, and every secular hour had its own pre-eminent 
vaule, they left their houses half-finished, their fences half-builded, 
their fields half-hoed, to devote one-sixth of a whole week of long 
July days, when they were in prosperity, to humble themselves 
and beg the Divine interposition to save from the horrors of civil 
war that native land out of which most of them had tied for their 
faith and for their lives. 

I get — let me say — from this discourse, a more exalted idea 
than some other facts suggest, of the quality and average mental 
condition of these I^ilgrim fathers of Cohannet. It was sent over 
in manuscript to a member of the Honorable House of Commons, 
who thought so well of it that he had it printed "for the publike 



I06 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

jjood." He savs of it in his few prefatory words. — *' If thou bring 
thy heart with thee to the reading of it, thou maysl tind thy heart 
melting by reading of it, and then thou shalt have cause to bless 
God for it." You have had here and have within my knowledge, 
well cultured and very able men in your pulpits, but 1 confess to a 
doubt whether you ever had one, who, on the whole, could write a 
better sermon than this. In spirit, devout, tender, pitying and 
true; shot through and through with the golden threads of scrip- 
ture thoughts and speech; in language admirable, rising now and 
then into pathetic eloquence, and everywhere assuming not only 
new power of thought, but a considerable level of comprehension 
in the audience. I have always insisted that our Pilgrim Fathers 
were not great men by original position and culture so much as by 
character and achievement ; that it is a mistake to try to lift them 
to a level in social position and training with the Massachusetts 
Company. But when I see William Hook, a Master of Arts of 
Trinity College, Oxford, — soon to be associated with the famous 
John Davenport in the care of the famous first Church of New 
Haven, a correspondent of Oliver Cromwell while here, and who 
went back to the old country in the days of the Commonwealth to 
be his domestic chaplain, and to lay his own bones in Hunhill 
Fields; when I see this William Hook in his narrow cabin near 
Taunton Green writing a discourse for his little congregation of 
Cohannet settlers, garnished with one quotation in the original 
Latin from the third Eclogue of A'irgil, and two from the Phar- 
salia of Lucan, with another from an author whom 1 am not scholar 
enough lo identify, together with a reference in the original Greek 
to the Nicomachean Ethics of Aristotle, I am sure that he enter- 
tained no fear that his beaten oil wouldn't burn in ihe hii-ni) of his 
humble sanctuary. 

Verv beautiful to me is the revelation which this sermon 
makes of the simple, reverent, confiding tone of the mind of our 
Pilgrim Fathers toward the ]!ible. in unfolding and pressing the 
doctrine gathered from the text, with the lessons which it carries, 
appeal is constantly made to the Divine W^ord in an artless man- 
ner, not as the end of all strife, for there is no strife, but as the 
clear and conclusive statement of truths needing only statement 
for belief. I have counted six and forty direct Scripture references 
in these three and twenty pages, besides many more which are 
veiled and indirect. I wish modern '•impro\'enients '" had not led 
pulpits and pews so far away from all this! 

And, finally. Sir, what touches me most here, as it touches 
me everywhere as I reverently study, as closely as I can, the inner- 
most character of the men of whom we are thinking to-day, is the 



THE BANQUET. IO7 

sublime and re<i;nanl absoluteness of their contidence in Ciod. It 
exhales like "the perfumes of Arabia" from every pa5;e of this 
sermon. These men belie\ed that God could save their dear old 
England, which, with all her faults, they loved still : and that they 
might perhaps help move Him to do so. 

Dr. Young says: "by night an Atheist half believes a (iod. " 
lUit there was'nt agnosticism enough among all the one hundred 
and two passengers of the Mayflower — that wretched black sheep 
of a Billington, and all his, included — to get up one single respect- 
able doubt on board day time or night. When the terrific weather 
took them in mid-ocean, stove in their upper works, and cracked 
and displaced one of the main beams ; the sailors were scared, and 
the master had his doubts, and there was a serious time of con- 
sultation. But one of the Leyden men brought out from tlie pile 
of his belongings a great "iron screw" and they tightened up 
things, and repaired damages, and "committed themselves to ihe 
will of God, " and kept on. That is what they always did. And 
when, in those early dreadful months, the Governor died, and half 
their company died, they just buried them in the best manner they 
could, trusted in God and kept on. And when 5, (15) April 1621, 
the Mayflower started on her return voyage, not one of them 
wanted to go back in her! And when in 1623, from 3d May to 
15th July, they had tierce heat, and not a drop of rain, so that 
their grass patches were parched like withered hay, and the spring- 
ing corn, which stood between them and starvation, drooped and 
shriveled, they appointed a Fast and humbled themselves before 
the God in w'hom they lived and moved and had their being; and 
lifted their hearts in the submission of hope. And. though it was 
clear weather, and very hot, and not a cloud anywhere to be seen 
in the sky. Gov. Bradford says: "toward evening it began to be 
overcast, and shortly after to raine with such sweet and gentle 
showers as gave them great cause of rejoicing and blessing (iod. 
It came without either wind or thunder or any violence, and by 
degrees in that abundance as that the earthe was thorowly wete 
and soked therewith. Which did so apparently revive and quick- 
en the decayed corn and other fruits as was wonderful to see. and 
made the Indians astonished to behold; and afterwards the Lord 
sent them such seasonable showers, with interchange of fair, 
warnie wether, as, through His blessing caused a fruitful and lib- 
eral harvest to their no small comfort, and rejoicing. For which 
mercy (in time convenient) they also set apart a day of thanksgiv- 
ing. " [Bradford, 142.] 

Such men. Sir, were great with the truest, with an eternal 
greatness. God give us, their children, like largeness and purity 



I08 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

of soul. Then — with the sweet singer of Olney, in these lines 
suggested by the sight of his mother's picture, we may each one 
say : 

My l)oasl is not, that I deituce my birth 

Fioni loins enthroned, and rulers ol the earth; 

But higher far my proud pretensions rise — 

The son of parents pass'tl into the skies. 

The Massachusetts Historical Society : — In the settle- 
ment of Taunton, the Pilgrim and the Puritan joined hands ; 
for while the territory belonged to Plymouth Colony, a very 
respectable portion of the first settlers came from Boston and 
its vicinity. And so we may, if we will, claim kinship with 
those good men of Massachusetts Bay, who, it is said, some- 
times hastened the exit of witches and Quakers from this 
trying world ; and with true filial devotion we may explore 
the archives of the Puritan colony for records of its found- 
ers. Nowhere can this search be more effectively made 
than in the collections of that ancient and honorable institu- 
tion, the Massachusetts Historical Society, whose president, 
the eminent scholar and historian, the Rev. Dr. George E. 
Ellis, I am glad to introduce to you. 

RESFON.SE I5V REV. DR. <;E0R(;E E. ELLLS. 

It is a privilege and an honor to be called upon on this oc- 
casion to respond to the recognition of the Massachusetts His- 
torical Society. I heartily wish that its venerated emeritus Presi- 
dent — whose name and lineage with all their great services, with 
his own, carry with them so much of the best of our history — was 
here to relieve me of this office. That society is the first and the 
oldest of its fellowships, now very numerous, in this country. It 
lacks but little more than a year for its full century, since it was 
initiated four years before its incorporation in 1794. Its first five 
associates invited five more, and so it began with a membership 
of ten. Originally self-limited to thirty members resident in the 
state, its charter restricted it to sixty members. In 1857 an 
amendment in the charter extended its roll to one hundred mem- 
bers. There it remains. Numerous kindred societies in the state 
engage the zeal and industry of large numbers interested in local 
or general history. During the term of its existence the society 



TfTE RANOUET. lOQ 

has had on its resident roll 356 members, more than two-thirds of 
whom I have known personally. Brilliant and honored names are 
on that calendar, the foremost in our history, poetry, literature, 
patriotism, statesmanship, diplomacy, oratory, the judiciary of bar 
and bench, merchant princes and men of all nobleness in public 
and private life. 

As for nearly half a century I have sat in their company, and 
so many of them have vanished from sight, the thought has often 
been in my mind, of the opportuneness of the time, and of the 
special fitness of the prime movers, when and by whom the society 
was instituted. The Congregational ministers of all New Kng- 
land have from its settlement to this day, been most concerned 
and most laborious in tracing, recording and gathering the mate- 
rials of its history. Three such ministers originated the Massa- 
chusetts Society. As they drew in associates, lay and clerical, 
they called themselves "The Historical Society," and in their 
first appeal announced their purpose to aim for "a complete his- 
tory of the country. " The charter attached the title Massachu- 
setts. The society has always made this state, its history, its towns 
and its institutions and its people, the main subjects of its inter- 
ests, but has never forgotten the whole country. The first pur- 
chased property of the society consisted of twelve wooden chairs 
with "elbows, " called "Windsor chairs, " a pine wood table, paint- 
ed, with drawer and lock, and an inkstand. They are faithfully 
preserved. 

Then as to the opportuneness of the time when the society 
was formed. The three Boston ministers, Belknap, Eliot and 
Thacher. who initiated it, were men in the vigor of life, of Har- 
vard training, who had all passed through the scenes of the Rev- 
olution, with family pride and history. They had been inquirers in 
the beginnings of things here, and had each collected his own store 
of the prime materials of history. These they contributed for shelf 
and cabinet, not as decoys, but as magnets, as nest-eggs, for gath- 
ering a brood. They prompted the searching into old secretaries 
and garrets, just at the fitting time to rescue what might soon 
have perished, beginning with the very earliest records made in 
this wilderness. Most of those records are of a creditable and 
honorable tenor. But an awful loyalty to truth has forbidden the 
wilful destruction of any thing, whatever the moral or the warning 
of the record. Over some portion of these ancient papers might 
well be inscribed two of the lines on the monument of old Hearne, 
the pioneer and father of English Antiquaries, 

"Devil take yf'U, says Time to Tlionias Ile.iinel 
Whatever I foitfet vmi je.irn." 



IIO QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

The infant society sent as its first publication over all the 
continent and its islands, "A Circular Letter." not begging money 
but urging the collecting and preservmg of the materials of his- 
tory. The society has published seventy-eight octavo volumes, 
mostlv of original and valuable papers — such as Hubbard's and 
Bradford's Histories, Judge Sewall's Diary and Letters, Corres- 
pondence, Journals, Annals, Statistics, Memoirs, etc., of perma- 
nent interest. Our Massachusetts History has been more fully, 
minutely, and on the whole impartially related than that of any 
other community on the earth. Those who wish to depreciate or 
censure the state or its people have need to draw their materials 
trom these candid records. Those who seek to misrepresent and 
slander rely in addition upon their own ignorance or imagination. 
There is, however, one New England history, written also by a 
minister, though a Church of England missionary, the Rev. Sam- 
uel I'eters of Connecticut, to whom we are indebted for such fables 
as that of the invading army of frogs, whose uproar at Windham 
was like the bellowing of bulls, heard at the distance of miles, and 
spreading dismay and panic over the country. To the same 
amusing satirist we owe the perennial legend of the "Blue Laws. " 

It may now be affirmed that no fit student can revise, recast, 
or complete the history of any town or incident in Massachusetts, 
dated in the past, without consulting the shelves and the cabinet 
of the Historical Society. The rich and faithful utterances to 
which you have to-day been listening from your well-furnished 
orator illustrates that statement. 

We do not forget to-day the old town in the mother coun- 
try, whose name we bear "for the honor and love, " which 
we as well as our fathers "bear toward our dear and native 
land." In response to the invitations sent the Mayor and 
Corporation of Taunton, Kngland, to be present with us on 
this occasion, the following has been receivetl : — 

Taunton, Enoland, May i6, 1889. 
Drar Mr. Mayor: — 

I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your kind letter and in- 
vitations to the celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the found- 
ing of your town. 

I brought the subject before our corporation at their monthly 
meeting, and also had invitations sent to each member, but I am 
afraid the long journey will prevent us from accepting your kind 
hospitality. But on behalf of myself, the other members of the 



I'lIK l!.\\()l'KT. Ill 

corporation and the inhabitants of tiie old town. I beg to thank 
you and your committee for your kind feelings toward us. and to 
assure you that although we shall not be present ai )()ur celelira- 
tion our hearts will be with you, and we trust \ou will have a 
pleasant and enjoyable time. 

Our corporation has decided to send you an address cjf con- 
gratulation which is being prepared, and 1 hope will reach you. in 
good time. 

I have sent you a local paper from which you will see the ac- 
count of our Council meeting. \'ou will also observe that last 
week we had the honor of a visit from }{. R. II., ihc Duki' of 
Cambridge. 

With kind regards and best wishes, I remain, dear Mr. Mayor, 
Yours faithfully, 

Henry I. Spii.i.k.r, 
Mayor of Taunton, England. 
To His U'orship, the Mayor of Taunton, Mass., U. S. A. 

The V'w^t Settlers of Taunton : — Perhaps the most 
jirorninent of the first settlers of Taunton was Richard Wil- 
liams, whom the historian calls the father of the town. How 
near this statement came to being the literal truth, we may 
infer from the fact that there are ninety-three W'illiamses in 
our last city directory. And this number by no means indi- 
cates the whole family ; for a great many of them have got 
away, and are scattered all over the earth. One of these 
wandering sons, who has come back to us to-da\-, has carried 
to so fair a fruitage the good seed sown b\- his ancestor, that 
it has been publicly said of him that he is the onh' man in 
Maine who could be elected g()\-ernor who would not accept 
the office. And that high office is so highl) co\-eteil, we 
know, in the Pine Tree state, that they sometimes have two 
governors at a time. Our friend, in his leisure moments, is 
something of an antiquarian and, 1 am told, has collected 
1,000 names of the descendants of Richard Williams, and I 
beliexe he offers a reward for an\- new descendant that nia\' 
be brought to him, dead or alive. 1 give you "The l-Mrst 



112 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

Settlers of Taunton, " and present to you a descendant, in 
the seventh generation, of Richard Williams, the Hon. 
Josiah H. Drummond of Portland. 

RESPONSE BY HON. JOSIAH H. DRUMMOND. 
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemeti : 

Or, if you will allow me to salute you by a title more pleasing 
to me, I will say Cousins of Ancient Taunton : 

If I had ever lacked interest in my descent from the founders 
of your town, one glance up and down these tables would have 
revived it: and to-day I count myself fortunate in being a descend- 
ant from Richard Williams and that I have learned the fact before 
1 had become any older. 

Yes, many of the descendants of your "First Settlers" have 
wandered away; my friend King and myself, speaking for those 
who live in Maine, represent many more than are now found in 
your limits, even if you take your beautiful city and all the towns 
which went to make up Taunton of " ye ancient time. " 

In Maine, the descendants of the " First Settlers of Taunton " 
are found all over the State, from Kittery Point to Quoddy Head, 
from the Highlands to the ocean. On the shores of Casco Bay, 
in the valley of the Androscoggin, the roar of whose falls is lost in 
the hum of manufactories ; in the valley of the glorious old Ken- 
nebec, the music of whose waters was the lullaby of my infancy 
and the delight of my boyhood ; in the valley of the majestic 
Penobscot and even in the valley of the far St. Croix, are equally 
found the descendants of the noble men and women, who re- 
deemed from the wilderness the spot where I now stand. To 
illustrate; — an^ong the first settlers of one town in Maine were 
seven families from Taunton ; how well they obeyed the injunction 
to "increase and multiply" you may know from the fact that in 
each one of five of these families, there were nine children ; the 
other two, as the saying is, " broke the record, " by having eleven 
children in each. In the neighborhood, too, in which I was born, 
there were, in my boyhood, fourteen families dwelling consecu- 
tively within a space of two miles upon the same road, twelve of 
which, upon the one side or the other, were descendants of Rich- 
ard Williams. In fact, I believe that you could not call the roll of 
a single hamlet in Maine without some descendant of Ancient 
Taunton answering the call. 

On behalf of these almost countless far-away cousins, I greet 
you, and most heartily congratulate you upon this auspicious day. 



THE BANQUET. II3 

But my friend, the toastmaster, has called upon me to respond 
for the "First Settlers of I'aunton'' instead of for their descend- 
ants, of whom, 1 infer, that he and the other young men propose 
to take care, without help from me. Indeed, he has warned you 
that I am "offering a reward for a descendant of Richard Wil- 
liams, dead or alive ; '' he has slightly exaggerated ; my work ends 
with the fifth generation, and those now living are in no danger. 

Recent investigations, set on foot, I think, by the influence of 
your Old Colony Historical Society and its indefatigable officers, 
have somewhat changed the formerly prevailing opinion in rela- 
tion to the ancestry and place of birth of Richard Williams. The 
discovery of wills made by his immediate relatives, and the infor- 
mation gained by Ex-Gov. Joseph H. Williams of my state, first 
made public to-day through his letter to you, render it quite cer- 
tain in my mind, that Richard Williams was not born in Wales, or 
if he was, that he left there in very early childhood. 

Referring to the letter of Gov. Williams (the information in 
which he has kindly communicated to me,) we find that " Richard 
Williams of the parish of St. Johns in Gloucester and Frances 
Dighton of the parish of St. Nicholas in Gloucester were married 
in the parish of Whitcomb Magna, February 11, 1632 (O. S. ") 

In passing, we note that Gov. Williams has discovered the 
parentage and family of the fair bride, whose memory has been 
worthily honored by giving her name to one of the towns that 
made part of "Ancient Taunton," and of her sister Katherine, 
the wife of Gov. Dudley — a problem that has heretofore baffled 
all the efforts of genealogists and antiquarians. They were the 
daughters of John Dighton, an eminent surgeon, and his wife, 
Jane, daughter of Edward Bassett of Uley. The Bassetts were 
descendants of the Berkeleys of Gloucestershire, so that in the old 
limits of Taunton we have two towns bearing the name of the 
wife of Richard Williams and of the famous family from which she 
was descended. We have not yet the precise date of her birth, 
but she was baptized in the church of St. Nicholas, Gloucester, 
March 1, 161 1 (C^ S.) She survived her husband and all but two 
of her nine children, dying early in 1706, at the great age of ninety- 
five years. She was universally honored and beloved during her 
long life, and as a testimonial of the regard in which she was held, 
six years after her death, and in the centennial anniversary year 
of her birth, a part of the town of her adoption and in which she 
had dwelt more than the three score and ten years usually allotted 
as the limit of human life, was created a new town and named 
"Dighton" in her honor. I speak of her "in passing:" but 
when we consider the influences that must have jrone out from 



114 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

the life of so good a woman, who is entitled to more honorable 
mention, when "the First Settlers of Taunton" are eulogized, 
than Frances Dighton Williams ? 

Richard and Frances had two children born to them while 
living in the City of Gloucester; John, bap. March 27, 1634; 
Elizabeth, bap. Feb'y 27, 1635 (O. S.) ; both of whom died young. 

These dates, with others already known, establish with great 
certainty that Richard Williams came to this country in 1636. 
His daughter was baptized in February of that year in Gloucester 
and he purchased land in Dorchester in 1637 and the same year 
became one of the original purchasers of Taunton. Question has 
been raised whether the Richard Williams, who bought land in 
Dorchester, was Richard Williams, later of Taunton ; but there is 
no room for doubt, because Richard Williams of Taunton on 
October 20, 1646, sold one of the lots in Dorchester, and another 
lot "which fell to Richard Williams" in Dorchester, descended to. 
and was sold by, the great grandson of Richard Williams of Taun- 
ton. 

Richard Williams and family must have been in Taunton in 
1637, as he was one of the first purchasers at that date. The settle- 
ment of the place must have been made long enough before the 
incorporation of the town, to give assurance that it was to be per- 
manent. John Richmond and John Hathway say in depositions 
(which I have not seen in print) that they came to Taunton in 
1639, and that then John Gilbert, one of the original purchasers, 
" had a house down on the meadow, on the westerly side of Great 
River. " It would seem that the settlement must have com- 
menced immediately after the purchase, and the prominence of 
Richard Williams indicates that he was one of the first of the 
" First Settlers. " I have not examined the grounds upon which 
the tradition, that he came to Taunton from Sciluate, rests, but 
from the facts established by records, I am inclined to doubt its 
truth. But wherever he passed the time between his arrival in 
this country and 1639, ^^ ^^ certain that from that date till his 
death in 1692, more than half a century, he lived in Taunton an 
honorable and useful life, being almost continual'ly entrusted with 
the management of public affairs, both religious and civil, and in 
all relations, commanding the respect, confidence and esteem of 
the community. He represented Taunton in the Colonial Court 
twelve years from 1645 to 1665, and was also one of the board of 
selectmen twelve years. 

But whence did he originate ? I have already stated that in 
my opinion he was not born in Wales, or, if he was, that he came 
to Gloucester when quite young. 



THE BANQUET. II5 

The discovery, by Mr. Waters, of two wills, an abstract of 
which is given in the thirty-seventh volume of the Genealogical 
Register, gives us important and quite decisive information. One 
of the wills was made in 1650 by an unmarried sister of Richard 
Williams, and the other in 1695, by his nephew, the son of a de- 
ceased brother. 

The sister, Jane W'illiams, mentions in her will, her brother, 
Samuel Williams, her brother Richard Williams and her sister 
Elizabeth Williams, " that are in New England " ; Benjamin Wil- 
liams and Nathaniel Williams, the sons of her brother Samuel ; 
her sister, the wife of John Hall, and her children John, Samuel, 
Daniel and Susanna. The testatrix describes herself as of Whiten- 
hurst, Gloucester — the place where Richard Williams lived before 
he went to America. 

The nephew, who made the other will, was the Benjamin, son 
of Samuel, mentioned in the first will. He was a school master 
and lived in Surrey County. He mentions his cousins, the Hall 
children, named in Jane's will as "now or late of Whitenhurst in 
Co. Gloucester : " other cousins apparently on his mother's side ; 
then his cousins, Samuel, Thomas and Benjamin Williams of New 
England; the eldest child of his cousin, Nathaniel Williams of 
New England, deceased ; the eldest child of his cousin Joseph Wil- 
liams, deceased; his cousin Elizabeth Bird of Dorchester, New 
England; the eldest child of his cousin, Hannah Parmater. He 
thus not only names all the children of Richard Williams, but he 
calls the daughters by their married names, and also mentions as 
" deceased" the two sons and one daughter of Richard Wil- 
liams, who had then died. This will identifies the families beyond 
peradventure. 

From both, we learn that Richard Williams had a brother 
Samuel, a sister Jane, who died unmarried, a sister who married 
John Hall, and a sister Elizabeth \\'illiams, who, in 1650, was in 
New England. We learn, too, that they all lived in Gloucester 
and that the married ones had families there ; and the presump- 
tion is very strong that they were all born there, or came there in 
childhood as one family. Moreover the clause in the nephew's 
will, in which he leaves a legacy to the poor of Whitenhurst in 
(jloucester, "any poor people of my father's kindred principally re- 
commended" shows clearly that there were in that parish collateral 
kindred beyond those descended from his father's father, as he 
already made specific legacies to all of them. In the absence of 
other evidence, I hold with much confidence that the Williams 
family had lived in Gloucester several generations, when Richard 
Williams left his old home to seek a new one in New England, 



no QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

It has been suggested that Roger Williams was the brother of 
Richard, or, at any rate, that Richard had a brother Robert, who 
married a sister of Roger Williams. The enumeration of the 
family in these two wills pretty fully demolishes both of these 
theories. In my researches I have found no evidence of their 
truth. As yet, however, no trace has been found of this "sister, 
Elizabeth Williams, " who was in New England in 1650; it does 
not appear whether she was then married or single; all the tradi- 
tion about Richard's having a brother may have arisen from the 
marriage of this sister, Elizabeth, with a husband by the name of 
Williams; but this is mere conjecture. 

For fifty years after the incorporation of Taunton, there is 
in its records and history frequent mention of the name of Wil- 
liams; but they were always Richard and his sons. But in 1688, 
Elias Williams witnessed a deed executed by William Makepeace, 
whose daughter Emmanuel Williams married, not many years la- 
ter; and in 1796, the marriage of Charles Williams and Mary 
Gladding is recorded. These are in a contemporaneous group; 
and apparently Elias and Emmanuel either lived with William 
Makepeace or in his vicinity ; still whether they, or any of them, 
were of one family is yet left almost wholly to conjecture. Beyond 
the record of the birth of a child, Charles made no further sign, 
and I have met with no further mention of Elias. But Emmanuel 
married, and in 1709 was included in the list of "Heads of Fami- 
lies" in Taunton; he died about 17 19, leaving six children whose 
descendants still live in Dighton and New Bedford. But these 
Williames were nearly of the same generation as Richard's grand- 
children, and could scarcely have been the children of Elizabeth ; 
in a word, her history is still a blank. 

Richard Williams evidently named his first born, John, in 
honor of his wife's father. His naming his first daughter, Eliza- 
beth, and the fact that he had a sister (apparently the oldest) by 
the same name, indicate that his own mother bore that name also. 
Considering, too, the practice in those times, the facts that Rich- 
ard named his second son, Samuel, and that his older brother's 
name was the same, if I were endeavoring to trace his parents, I 
should look first for Samuel and Elizabeth Williams. 

But this reminds me that my work is confined to his descend- 
ants, and I am happy to say that in spite of the deplorable loss of 
early records, with the generous aid I have received, I have had 
unexpected success, and I expect to add something to the mate- 
rials for the history of Taunton. 

And in this connection may I be allowed to express the hope, 
that in the near future, some son or daughter of Taunton, " to the 



THE BANQUET. 11/ 

manor born,"' will undertake to write that history. My friend on 
my right (Rev. Mr. Emery) has already given us an exceedingly 
valuable and interesting history of the " Ministry of Taunton ; " 
but there is yet a mine of historic wealth, almost wholly unex- 
plored. Few towns in the whole country afford materials for a 
history so well worth writing as '' Ancient Taunton. " It is a duty 
which this generation owes both to the past and to the future to 
prevent the loss of these materials. I trust you will allow my re- 
cently discovered relationship to be a sufficient justification for my 
pressing this matter most earnestly upon your attention. 

Does some one ask 'V/// luviot" What good will result .' 
For answer, I point to the wonderful growth and prosperity of 
your city and her sister towns, founded by that little colony two 
centuries and a half ago, and, in turn, ask what have been the 
causes ? Will not the same causes continue in the future to pro- 
duce the same results ? 

It has been well said that " Eulogies of the dead are useful 
only as lessons to the living. " So the history of the past is use- 
ful only as a guide to the present and the future. 

The history of " the First Settlers " shows that with them 
came the minister and the school master ; their earliest laws 
denounced idleness and dissipation. The foundations, which they 
laid for the success of their enterprise, were industry, sobriety, 
education and religion ; to know how well they succeeded we have 
only to look around us. To continue this success, you must con- 
tinue to build upon the same foundations ; and in earnestly bespeak- 
ing for you, growth and prosperity, equal to your most ardent 
hopes, I can best do so by expressing the wish that when another 
"two hundred and fifty years " has rolled away and your descend- 
ants of that day and generation shall assemble to celebrate the 
event, they may be able to say truly, "As the First Settlers found- 
ed, so have their successors builded.'"- 

Our next toast shall be "Taunton in the Revolution." 
and I am happy to present to you one who bears with undi- 
minished honor the name of his great-grandfather, the adopt- 
ed son of Taunton, who was one of the immortal signers of 
the Declaration of Independence ; Robert Treat Paine. 

RESPONSE BV HON. ROBERT TREAT PAINE. 
Mr. ChaiiDiafi: — 

] rejoice in the privilege of being here to share in the pleas- 
ures of this great day, and to be inspired by the reminiscences of 
our glorious past. 



115 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

1 come with the feelings of a wanderer returning to the old 
home from which io8 years ago my great grandfather wandered 
away, but I read on the great arch which you have thrown across 
your Main street the cordial words, " Sons and Daughters, Wel- 
come Home. " 

I am glad to have listened to the profoundly interesting ad- 
dress of the Orator of the Day, your distinguished fellow citizen 
and my honored friend, and to have heard his vivid account of 
the growth of this wonderful quarter millennial period. 

No wonder that after we pass from the Platform of History 
to the freer festivities of this Hall of Banquet, we feel tempted to 
let the American Eagle scream just a little with irrepressible delight 
and even ourselves to give again that famous American Toast. 

Even while we are celebrating this and our recent centennial 
anniversaries, some of our countrymen have gone abroad to wit- 
ness similar centennials in France. 

How can we help comparing our growth in prosperity with 
the decay which is seen in parts of Europe. 

Only this week we read of workmen leaving Italy in such 
numbers as almost to depopulate some places, and we know how 
the intolerable burdens of taxation crush their energies and how 
homes are emptied of their young men drafted into their great 
standing army. 

Turn for a moment to the striking contrast of France to the 
United States now and in the days of our Revolution. 

Then France was rich in all the accumulations of wealth and 
art and poetry and cultivated life. Massachusetts was bare in- 
deed! Rich only in the character of its citizens, but otherwise in 
the condition of barest need described by Shakespeare : — 

"()h reason not the need; 
Allow not nature more than nature neeils. 
Man's life is cheap as beasts.'" 

Shay's Rebellion grew out of the dire distress into which a 
large part of our people were plunged when the war was over and 
the army disbanded and the payments for the war had ceased. 
Perhaps it was true of Taunton as it was said of some towns, that 
there was not actually money enough in the whole town to pay the 
tax. \\'hat a wonderful contrast in these two nations physicall\- 1 

Washington and Napoleon were t3''pes of the two national 
characters. Each nation rose under its great leader to a place of 
high honor before the e3'es of the world. 

The aim of Washington was honorable peace and a stabltj 
government of the people. 



THE BANQUET. I I9 

'I'hat of Napoleon was brilliant war and successful conquest. 
The aims of each were accomplished, but what has been the har- 
vest } 

Washington's name has risen in the affectionate honor of the 
world, till to-day men like Gladstone proclaim that the loftiest 
l^edestal in the history of the world belongs to Washington, and 
the character which he typified and helped to impress on our 
country, has become our noblest inheritance, but in France in less 
than sixty years after his warlike uncle's death, the younger Napo- 
leon, in needless and fatal war lost at the disastrous defeat at 
Sedan, besides his own throne, the accumulated glory which it had 
taken France ten centuries to acquire. 

No Avonder that to-day France is ready to cast itself in des- 
pair into the arms of- an exiled charlatan. 

What are the great causes of this tide of prosperity which 
has changed the face of Taunton and of Massachusetts from the 
gloom of Shay's Rebellion to the abounding wealth of to-day.'' 

What are the deep causes of this even more striking contrast 
of character between France and our country? 

Were there not four noble traits of character which had long 
been growing strong but which were fully matured in the great 
days of the Revolution, when this nation like a young giant was 
just rising out of youth into full life? 

Shall we not put first, as the most prominent feature of our 
national character in those days, as ever since, fixed, resolute, in- 
domitable Will ? 

Who can conceive how sad would have been our fate and how 
striking the contrast if the national character had been weak 
vacillation ! 

\\'as not the second great trait the strong sense of Justice, in 
both directions: yielding justice tow^ards others, (what more strik- 
ing illustration and proof of the spirit of justice than in the ac- 
count we listened to this morning from Judge Bennett of how 
every inch of land in Taunton was acquired of the Indians with 
absolute honesty, a fact I was surprised and delighted to hear ;) 
and also demanding justice for themselves at all hazards, at any 
cost or sacrifice, without purchase or concession ; proclaiming to 
the world their rights, and pledging their lives and fortunes and 
sacred honor to maintain them. 

The third great trait of the character of those days was pro- 
found religious faith which in every event of life, looked to God 
for support, a spirit which was powerfully manifested on many oc- 



I20 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

casions in the early life of Taunton, as told in the address this 
morning and which we have just heard wonderfully described in 
the address from Dr. Dexter. 

The last great trait of character which in my judgment 
molded the life of those days and of these, is a profound spirit of 
hopefulness: — which could listen to Jonathan Edwards and still 
love God : which could throw overboard the tea and still be 
calm ; which wrestled with all the varying problems of a life some- 
what severe and still was full of hope. 

If to-day I were searching for that trait which like Aladdin's 
magic lamp, is most potent to improve the lot and physical career 
of the masses of the people, the habit of hope seems to me most 
able to accomplish this grand consummation. 

Are not these the four great characteristics of the times and 
lives of our fathers? 

Strong, fixed, indomitable will which wrenched victory from 
any circumstances most adverse. 

That sense of justice which has made this people love law 
and grow into the most law-abiding people in the world. 

Firm religious faith has given depth and intensity to life and 
has inspired our race with the ennobling conviction that as we 
live in God, so God guides and supports us. 

Soaring hope has lifted man's aspirations to lofty possibilities 
and grows into a mighty power to make possibilities our actual life. 
Even as no more fatal palsy can create the evil it dreads, than 
weak despair, so no force more potently creates what it desires 
than unwavering hope. 

Fixed Purpose, Justice, Faith and Hope, these are the four 
corner-stones of American character. These are the noble quali- 
ties which were the bulwarks of our national life in the crisis of 
the Revolution and which were brought to full maturity in that 
long ordeal. 

These are the qualities which are our strength to-day and 
which we rejoice to have inherited from our fathers' fathers and to 
believe that we shall transmit to our children's children. 

These are the qualities which make great men. These are 
the qualities which are radiant with enduring promise, and which 
enable us to look into the future with head erect and eye toward 
Heaven, and hearts beating high with hope, as we repeat the bold 
prophecy of Tennyson in Locksley Hall. 

"Forward, forward let us range; 
Let the great World spin forever 
Down the ringing grooves of change." 



THE BANQUET. 121 

This seems to be a good time to hear from our Orator 
of the Day, whose admirable address was just what we ex- 
pected from one who always does his work so thoroughly 
and well. Let me introduce to you the Hon. lulmund li. 
Bennett. 

RESPONSE UV HON. E. H. BENNETT. 
Mr. ^hastmaster: — 

I rise, sir, at your bidding, but not to make a second address 
to an audience which has already heard me for two mortal hours 
and more. I am aware it is customary on these occasions to call 
up the Orator of the Day, as he is sometimes styled, but who 
might on this occasion more properly be called simply the " Histori- 
cal Addresser. " Such a custom is one of those perhaps " more 
honored in the breach than in the observance, " were it not that it 
properly limits the response to thanking the audience for their 
patient attention and kind consideration in listening to his pre- 
vious effort of the day. This is especially fitting in this case, be- 
cause of the very extraordinary but necessary length of my address, 
which not only must have sorely tried the patience of the hearers, 
but which has left my voice in a condition totally unfit for any 
longer service. Thanking you for the courtesy of your request, 
and all here present for their patient attention to, and tender in- 
terest in what I had to say this morning, I beg to be excused from 
saying more. 

We do not intend to lag behind the statelier ceremonies 
of the morning in paying our homage to the Muse. A poem 
written by one of Taunton's gentle poets, Miss Mary E. N. 
Hatheway, will now be read by the Rev. John P. l^'orbes : — 

THE OLD COLONISTS. 

Let us recall them to-day. 
With reverence due their degree, — 
Men who through hardship and toil 
Opened the Land of the Free. 

Leaving their country and kin, 
Stations of plenty and pride. 
Slender in number their bands, 
They crossed the ocean-track jwide. 



QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

Reaching these unchristened shores, 
Bleak in their barren repose, 
Girded by forests untrod 
Save by the footsteps of foes ; 

But steadfast in courage and heart 

To face the known and unknown, 

United in purpose they stood, 

And chose the New World for their own: 

Turning not back in despair 
When pressed with want and disease : 
Not famine, disaster nor death, 
Could daunt such spirits as these. 

Valiant the birthright they owned. 
Saxon, Norman and Dane, 
Blent in their English blood, 
Molding their fibre and brani. 

Lovers of justice and law. 
They gave defiance and hate 
To error, and tyrannous sway 
Ruling in Church or in State. 

Faith in the guidance Divine, 
Faith in man's knowledge of Right. 
Led them in peril and peace. 
Wrought in their labors with might. 

Simple in order they built 
Altars of Learning and Home, 
Fairer than sculptures of fame. 
Arch or imperial dome. 

Time, the searcher of lives, 
Their work has measured and weighed. 
And over their memory sheds 
Honor that never can fade. 

Liberty, star of their hope, 
Worshipped through storm-beaten days. 
Risen full-orbed in the \\'est, 
Now lightens the earth with its rays. 

Seed which in darkness they sowed. 
Tending with vigils and prayer. 
'I'hrough all the ages shall grow. 
Harvests immortal to bear. 



THE BANQUET. 1 23 

At this time of <;"()()(l feeling and good cheer we will 
have no t|iiarrel about Elizabeth Pool and her peck of beans. 
Our historians who throw doubt on that story are tied to the 
traditions of Plymouth Rock, where they undoubtedly never 
had a bean. For do we not frequently read in the chronicles 
of the colonists the brief but significant legend, "Nota 
Bene" .'* Now Elizabeth Pool came from Boston or its imme- 
diate vicinity ; and without doubt brought with her for her 
Sunday dinner a supply of those delicious vegetables which 
have always been a distinguishing feature of Boston culture. 
And it is fair to presume that in making her trade with the 
aborigines, she threw in a few beans as a delicate token of 
her "bean"eficent spirit towards the poor Indians. So let 
critics no longer peck at that peck of beans story. 

If I am not right in these conclusions let me be aided 
and counselled by the most worthy president of the Old 
Colony Historical Society, a society which in its thirty-five 
years' existence has done excellent service in rescuing our 
local history from oblivion and from falsehood which is 
worse than oblivion. But as my friend has been doing two 
men's work all his life, I am going to call on him to respond 
not only for the Old Colony Historical Society, but also for 
the Ministry of Taunton, of which he has himself been so 
large a j^art, the Rev. Samuel Hopkins P^mery. 

RESPONSE IJV RE\-. S. }{. EMERV. 

Mr. Toastinaster:— 

Vou very well know that 1 persistently refused to answer any 
senliment, for the very good reason that none of the precious time 
of this memorable occasion should be wasted on one, who is but a 
relic of a past generation and who might better form a part of the 
loan exhibition over yonder in Historical Hall. But your persist- 
ence, it seems, proves more than mine, and here I am in the pres- 
ence of this most respectable companvx called upon to speak for 
the "Ministry of Taunton.'" 



124 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

Having already, some years ago, published all I knew on this 
prolific theme in two bulky volumes, I will not presume to enlarge 
— certainly not to the extent of issuing a new edition of that work 
in an after dinner speech of two or five minutes, when we are all 
anxious to hear from our eminent visitors from abroad, one of 
whom, the present chief magistrate of our sister state of Rhode 
Island, sits by my side. 

1 will content myself with expressing my extreme satisfaction 
at taking by the hand to-day a direct descendant, of the seventh 
generation, from that most eminent first settler and father of the 
ancient Cohannet, Richard Williams, (at the same time grasping 
the hand of the Hon. Josiah H. Drummond of Portland, Maine, 
who sat next to him) my satisfaction also, at looking into the face 
of another, sitting yonder, the Rev. George E. Street, of Exeter, 
New Hampshire, who is directly descended, in the seventh genera- 
tion, from the Rev. Nicholas Street, the eminent associate of the 
no less eminent William Hook, in the first pastorate of the Taun- 
ton church. 

This descendant has the distinguished honor likewise, of be- 
ing a direct descendant, on his mother's side, of the famous John 
Davenport of New Haven and Boston — which Davenport had for 
his colleague in New Haven, first Hook and afterward Street, who 
also became his successor in the ministry. The first two Taunton 
ministers, Oxford graduates in Old England, were learned and 
godly ministers, ranking among the foremost Divines in this, then 
new world. 

In passing, I may say, in a letter just received from Mr. 
Edwin Sloper, the well known antiquarian of the mother town, 
Taunton, Somersetshire, England, expressing his regret at not be- 
ing able to be with us to-day, he writes: — "Had I been able to 
participate in your welcome gathering, it was my intention to read 
a short paper on 'old Taunton'- and how a tribe of incoming 
Saxons settled in the Dean and made it their home in the seventh 
century. I think I should also have been capable of nearly prov- 
ing that Street gave the name to your town." 

Well, if he did not give our town its name, we know the 
Spring street bridge bore his name, and, although superseded by 
another and a better may well be called Streets Bridge, for the 
minister's homestead was by its side. 

But I must hasten on, and — out of respect to that virgin 
mother of Taunton, the gentlewoman, who, if she did not buy the 
town in its beginning, was as Robert Treat Paine wrote of her, "a 
chief promoter of its settlement, " and should be held in ever- 
lasting remembrance. Miss Elizabeth Pole — I will ask your atten- 



THE BANQUET. 12$ 

tion to the production, in verse, of one of the daughters of Taun- 
ton, ever loyal to the good old town and a lover of its hills and 
brooks — its every foot of soil and drop of running water — Miss 
Anna Dennis Reed. 

1 may add, these lines were prepared specially for this occa- 
sion, and made to be sung to the melody of " Sweet Afton, " but 
you will hardly expect a song from one, who long ago hung his 
harp on the willows. 

To present residents on Mill river, it may not be necessary to 
say, that the " Sweet Taunton, " which is the subject of our song, 
is not that stream but the larger, grander, sweeter stream, on 
which are built the Taunton Water Works, and which has long 
borne the name of "Taunton Great River, " to distinguish it from 
inferior, smaller streams. 

blow gently, sweet Taunton, thy bright course along, 
Flow gently, sweet river, the theme of my song, 
For planted along by thy silvery tide, 
Are the happiest homes in all the world wide. 

We love thee, sweet River; thy banks are as green, 
As when by brave Winslow and Hopkins first seen; 
The sturgeon and shad still in summer are here. 
And herrings make glad the spring-time of the year. 

Flow gently, for oft by thy murmuring stream, 
The maiden and lover have breathed life's young dream; 
Flow gently, the wise and the fair of lang syne, 
Have wandered so oft on those green banks of thine. 

Sweet River, so long as thy tides ebb and flow, 
And o'er thy clear water the cooling winds blow, 
Thy name for fond memories and hopes will be dear, 
To all who find peaceful and happy homes here. 

For many years and until our vigorous sister city on 
Mt. Hope Bay came in for her thirds, Taunton divided with 
New Bedford the honors of the Shire town of the County. 
We want to hear to-day from this our twin shire and I call 
upon her distinguished citizen, the Hon. William W. Crapo. 

RE.SPONSE BV HOX. W . W . CKAI'O. 

Afr. Chairman : — 

Manufacturing New Bedford brings greetings to maritime 
Taunton. The City of the Sea joins in the general congratula- 
tions and with hearty good wishes recognizes the importance of 
the merchant marine of the City at the head waters of Taunton 



126 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

River. The web-footed denizens of Buzzards Bay are a trifle per- 
plexed as they hear of the growth of vessel ownership in this inland 
community. How comes it that while our tonnage fades yours in- 
creases ? You do not hear the music of the waves as they roll 
upon the beach ; you do not gather inspiration from the breakers 
dashing against the rocks. You must have learned the story of 
the sea from the herrings, as in the spring time they climb your 
fish ways on their journey to the spawning grounds. While your 
sister shiretown has put the earnings of many generations, gathered 
from the Brazil banks and the Gallipagos Islands, from New Zea- 
land and the Arctic, into hundreds of thousands of cotton spindles, 
the proceeds of your labor and thrift find investment in a fleet of 
magnificent sailing vessels which in model and carrying capacity 
is the envy of every sea port. May your pluck and enterprise 
in this direction meet, as it deserves, with continued and abundant 
success. 

But on this occasion we turn from the present, however pros- 
perous and promising, to the contemplation of the past. Our 
thoughts go back to the first beginnings of this model New Eng- 
land Community, as we listen to the story of its founders, so elo- 
quently told by the Orator of the day. The men who penetrated 
the wilderness and built their cabins on the banks of your beau- 
tiful river were hardy, sturdy, earnest men who had a purpose 
which unselfishly and heroically they maintained. We need not 
repeat the phrases which describe their qualities and virtues. They 
were God-fearing, self-reliant men. They have never been ex- 
celled for inflexible integrity of character. With toil and self- 
denial they met unflinchingly the exigencies which surrounded 
them. History furnishes no instance of public honor and individ- 
ual self-sacrifice surpassing that of our fathers at the close of the 
Indian Wars which devastated this region. After a struggle for 
existence, in which the mother Country had rendered no assist- 
ance, but with strange indift'erence had left the Colonists to fight 
single-handed against savagery ; with numbers decimated and 
homes desolated by the tomahawk and the torch, the pioneer men 
of the old Colony proved themselves as honest as they had been 
brave. With a public debt greater in amount than the value of 
the entire personal property within the Colony they paid that debt, 
not in paper promises, but with gold and silver coin, unmurmur- 
ingly asking no abatement. These men as they saw their duty 
performed it. If their public administrations were at times marked 
with austerities, they were never marred by compromises and were 
free from evasions. \Miatever the issue presented, they met it 
squarely. There was no mistaking the meaning of your David 



THE RANOUET. 127 

Cobb when, standing in front of the Court House, facing the armed 
mal-contents who demanded the abandonment of the Court, he 
said, "I will sit as a Judge or I will die as a General. " And he 
did sit as a Judge. The men who inaugurated civil government in 
the Old Colony may not have been, in details and methods, as 
broad-minded and liberal as the men of the present day, but they 
were clean handed and brave hearted. Whatever their limitations 
they stood by the principles of uprightness and strict justice and 
old fashioned honor, and the result, after the lapse of two hundred 
and fifty years, is a proud, powerful, influential Commonwealth, 
leading the nations in moral and mental elevation of the people 
and in the triumphs of social order. 

In many things we are in advance of our fathers. In these 
days a man may believe in his religion and allow every other man 
the same liberty; a man may practice piety without feeling it 
necessary to practice persecution. The intolerance of the past has 
been softened by liberality. We have lifted and broadened the 
social, moral and intellectual life of all the people, and in count- 
less ways have beautified humanity by works of philanthropic en- 
terprise. These are results expected of us from the training and 
teachings, the wisdom and virtue of the past. The foundation 
upon which rest the progress and glory of the present was laid in 
the character and struggles of the early settlers. By their example 
we have been strengthened, encouraged and cheered. The duly 
which devolves upon us, in meeting the fortunes and trials which 
are before us, is to keep up the standard of public virtue which 
they established. 

The Military Record of Taunton : — The first military 
order issued in Taunton was given in 1639, and was to the 
effect that " Capt. Pole exercise the inhabitants in armes. " 
That order having been issued to an infant colony, the natu- 
ral result, of course, has been that babes in Taunton have 
i^een e.xercised in arms ever since. The next notable militar}- 
order (of which I care now to speak,) was when Brig. Gen'l 
and Judge David Cobb cried aloud near the court house 
steps, "I will sit as Judge or die as General." The result 
of that has been that a kernel from the same Cobb has cried 
aloud in the court house ever since, or at least for the last 
generation. 



128 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

Having brought you in this expeditious manner out of 
ancient history, I refer you, for the later record, to the brave 
and tried soldier of the last war, Capt. Geo. A. Washburn. 

RESPONSE BY CAPT. GEO. A. WASHBURN. 

The history of Taunton in the early wars has been eloquently 
told by the Orator of the Day. In the few moments allotted to 
me I can only give a very brief review of Taunton's work in the 
great Rebellion. At the outbreak of this war, this city, then a 
town, had one company of Volunteer Militia, Co. "G," attached to 
the 4th Regiment of Infantry. 

It had but one commander from its organization, until the 
close of its service for the first three months of the war, Captain 
Timothy Gordon. This company was ordered into service by 
special messenger on the morning of April 16, 1861 — the requi- 
sition from \\'ashington upon the Governor of this Commonwealth 
for twenty companies having been telegraphed to Boston on the 
day previous, April 15. On the 27th day of April, eleven days 
after the departure of Co. " G, " a legal town meeting was held 
and the town voted to furnish each soldier who should enlist from 
Taunton a full uniform, to pay him $15, and such a sum as should 
make his pay $26 a month. The committee appointed consisted 
of Thompson Newbury. Samuel L. Crocker, Henry Williams, 
Lovett Morse, Harrison Tweed, L. B. Church and S. O. Dunbar. 

During the absence of this company at Fortress Monroe and 
vicinity, the most vigorous measures for recruiting a three years' 
regiment from this vicinity were pursued. The Seventh Regiment 
of Infantry was the result. This regiment was mustered in June 
15th, 1861, for three years. The colonel was a soldier whom 
Taunton has always honored, Darius N. Couch. In this year, 
1 86 1, five companies distinctively belonging to Taunton were 
recruited. Companies C, D and F, of the 7th Regiment, Company 
B, 1 8th Regiment, Company C, 2 2d Regiment. Taunton furnish- 
ed men in other companies in the same regiments. 

The cost to the town in 1861, was bounties, 5,085.00, other 
expenses, 12,782.28, a total of ^17,867.28; and 493 men enlisted, 
of whom 154 received no bounty. 

The same methods of recruiting were followed in 1862, that 
is, local companies were recruited so that the regiments raised 
prior to July, 1863, contained companies enlisted entirely from a 
locality and whose members had been former associates. 

In 1862, Co. B, 33d Regiment, Capt. James Brown ; Co. F, 
39th Regiment, Capt. J. J. Cooper, both companies enlisting for 



THE RANOUET. 129 

three years, and Co. G, Capt. (". H. Paull and Co. K, Capt. W. H. 
Bartlett both attached to the 4th Regiment and whose term of ser- 
vice was nine months, were recruited. 

On the 14th of August, 1862, at a town meeting, it was voted, 
that a bounty of S200, be paid to each volunteer, enlisting for 
three years. At a meeting held August 26, it was voted that a 
bounty of $100 be paid to each volunteer, for nine months, these 
bounties to be paid to those soldiers who enlisted as a part of the 
quota of Taunton. The number enlisting in 1862 was 170 three 
years men, and 166 nine months men. Bounties paid, ^65,800.00, 
other expenses, $500, total, $66,300.00. 

It would seem that by January, 1863, the military ardor had 
much abated, and that voluntary enlistments had almost ceased. 
It had been discovered that other methods than voluntary enlist- 
ments must be adopted to fill the ranks and this contingency Con- 
gress provided for by law. On the 29th day of April, 1863. 
Capt. J. \\'. D. Hall, w^as appointed Provost Marshal of the 2d 
District. His associates upon the Board were Nathaniel Wales 
of Stoughton and Henry B. Hubbard, M. D., of Taunton. 

The first draft was held in Taunton, July 15, 1863, and the 
first man drafted from Taunton was Alfred Martin. The entire 
number of men drafted was 3,260; exempted for various causes, 
1,880; number drafted who served in person, 64; recruits furn- 
ished, 569; substitutes, 643; amount of commutation paid by 
drafted men, $94,800. One result or out-come of the draft was 
a great stimulation of those liable to involuntary service. 

On the 3d of December, 1863, a meeting of citizens was held 
in the interest of those liable to draft and a coiTimittee chosen 
consisting of T. Newbury, H. Tweed, S. L. Crocker, S. O. Dun- 
bar, L. B. Church, E. H. Bennett, Jas. Brown, Sam'l A. Dean, 
C. L. Lovering, Alex. Hodges, Alfred Paull and N. S. Williams. 
On the 17th of December following, another meeting was held 
and Geo. M. Woodward was chosen treasurer, to receive contribu- 
tions which committees chosen at the foregoing meetings were ac- 
tively soliciting. The number of men enlisted in 1863 was 308 ; 
bounties paid, $26,505 ; other expenses, $439.56 

In the spring of 1864, Allen Presbrey, Abram Briggs and Na- 
than S. Williams were elected selectmen. Messrs. Briggs and 
Williams, together with Capt. Wm. H. Phillips, were constituted by 
the citizens a board of trustees to have entire charge of recruiting, 
to receive and hold moneys contributed and to expend the same 
in filling the quotas. Geo. A. Washburn was chosen secretary 
and treasurer of this board and so continued until the close of the 
war. Bv the active exertions of this Board, drafts were averted. 



130 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

the quotas promptly filled and while many towns in the state lost 
heavily by reason of having their recruits taken from them fraudu- 
lently, it is believed that Taunton held all its own and " a little 
over. " The total quotas of Taunton for 1864 were 356 ; bounties 
paid, $84,803 ; other expenses, $804.39 ; total in 1864 $85,607.39. 
Enlistments continued without cessation in the spring of 1865 and 
unremitting efTorts were made to avert a draft. Agents were em- 
ployed among the veteran regiments to secure re-enlistments in the 
field. But little idea of the labors performed by the selectmen and 
the recruiting committee can be conveyed in this short sketch, nor 
can it now be comprehended to what extent a dread of the draft 
pervaded the whole community. 

The total number of men furnished by Taunton upon calls 
and requisitions for troops, including 159 men assigned in the navy, 
who had enlisted before quotas were thought of was 1,652, at a 
total cost of $196,719.23. The citizens contributed $62,383.00. 
showing a net cost to the town of $134,336.23. 

No sooner had the war closed than Taunton prepared to pay 
its war debt, which, exclusive of assets, was at the close of the war 
$1 12,000. Under the administration of Hon. E. H. Bennett, the debt 
was funded on a term of ten years, bonds were issued for $100,000, 
and the notes existing, mostly on short time, were paid, and a sink- 
ing fund, with annual instalments to be raised by taxation created. 
This fund was so well invested, that in seven years after its estab- 
lishment, or in 1873, during the administration of Hon. Wm. H. 
Fox, the last assessment was made, and in Hon. Geo. H. Babbitt's 
administration the debt was paid. 

The payments for bounties during 186 1 and 1862 were of more 
than doubtful legality, yet such was the necessity of the occasion, 
that the people became a law unto themselves and loans were made 
and the proceeds paid from the treasury with little sanction or 
question of law. But, the debt was long since paid and is a thing 
of the past. 

Before closing, I wish to say a few words concerning Co. " F, " 
ist Regiment, our present sole company of militia. It should have 
the abundant support of the community. The militia is the school. 
Wm. Schouler, adjutant general of Massachusetts during the entire 
war, says that Taunton furnished fifty-nine commissioned ofiicers 
during the Rebellion. When you consider that not less than 
twenty-five of this number were graduates of the Taunton Light 
(iuard, and went to Fortress Monroe, with that Company, you can 
realize the advantage of maintaining a good militia company in 
your midst. So, let Company F have such an interest with you. 
that its stability shall not be questioned. 



THE BANQUET. I31 

Taunton in the great Rebellion did her whole duty. She filled 
every quota and had sixty three men to spare at the end of the war. 
We have reason to be proud of her record. 

In this brief recital I have no time for a rehearsal of much 
that would interest you. It all seems like a dream and were it not 
that you see in your midst those organizations, the Grand Army of 
the Republic whose members bear on their persons honorable 
scars, and the Sons of Veterans, we might in the enjoyment of our 
great prosperity, forget that the war cloud ever hung so low above 
us, or that our homes were draped in black by reason of sorrow 
for our 3'oung men who died on the field of battle. 

In our Historical Hall is an old flag, worn to fragments almost, 
yet about whose every fold lingers a tender memory. It is the flag 
of old Company "G" which first of all went from your midst. On 
it is borne this legend: ''■Fidelity to duty, whenever it may calK 
ivliercver it may lead. " 

So may it always be with our own ancient town and in time 
to come as in the past may she always be found in the van when 
duty calls. 

The Taunton Law^yers : — One only needs to mention 
the names of White, Tillinghast, Paine, Parsons, Merrick, 
Colby, and Morton, to show how illustrious the Taunton 
Bar has been. In speaking of the Bar of to-day, modesty 
compels me to use the words of another: 

"The fathers sleep, but men remain 
As wise, as true, as brave as they; 

Why count the loss and not the gain? 
The best is that we have today." 

If any one questions the aptness of this quotation, I beg 
leave to refer him to one who has full liberty to speak for 
himself and his brethren ; the Hon. William K. Fuller, 
Judge of the Probate Court. 

RESPONSE BY HON. W. E. FULLER. 

How can I worthily speak of that profession whose history in 
this ancient shire town includes the career of Samuel White, first 
lawyer in Bristol County and by character and attainments fit to 
be the first, — whose fame it was as speaker of the Massachusetts 
House of Representatives during the Stamp Act, to sign the circu- 
lar calling the first Colonial convention, meeting in New Vork in 



132 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

1765; of Robert Treat Paine, signer of the Declaration, — attorney 
general both before and after the revolution, member of the Gov- 
ernor's Council, and a judge of the Supreme Court; of Daniel 
Leonard who, though a loyalist in the revolution and becoming a 
political exile, achieved the distinction of becoming Chief Justice 
in a foreign land ; of John Mason Williams, Chief Justice of the 
Court of Common Pleas ; of the elder Marcus Morton, Congress- 
man, Judge of the Supreme Judicial Court, Governor of the Com- 
monwealth ; of Francis Baylies, Congressman, foreign minister, 
scholar, historian; of Chester I. Reed, who, though dying at 
middle age, had achieved high distinction at the bar, and had filled 
the positions of senator, attorney general, and Judge of the Supe- 
rior Court; and (if 1 may be pardoned for mentioning the living) 
of the learned doctors Bennett and Ordronaux, eminent law schol- 
ars and authors known wherever the common law is know n. 

And I may add that our Bar claims a certain kinship with, 
and feels a just pride in that distinguished son of Taunton, whose 
hereditary instinct for the law, whose learning, long experience and 
high character as a jurist sheds fresh lustre upon a name long- 
noted in the Old Colony, and adds new honor to the preeminent 
position of Chief Justice of the Commonwealth ; nor let me close 
this shining roll before 1 name Henry Goodwin, practicing here 
near the close of the last century, and later, attorney general in a 
neighboring state; David Leonard Barnes, his contemporary who 
became Judge of the United States District Court for the State of 
Rhode Island; Seth Padelford, for a quarter of a century Probate 
Judge in Bristol County and widely known in his time as a sound 
and trustworthy councillor; and it may be of interest to lawyers to 
recall that he was first president of the first Bar Association organ- 
ized in the Old Colony, including in its membership the lawyers of 
Plymouth, Bristol and Barnstable; properly too may I name George 
T. Davis, in practice here in 1831 and afterwards a Massachusetts 
Senator and a representative in Congress from the Greenfield Dis- 
trict; Pliny Merrick, who with high distinction filled in turn the 
ofiice of Judge both of the Common Pleas and of the Supreme 
Judicial Court; Theophilus Parsons, son of the great Chief Justice 
of that name, a law partner at one time with Francis Baylies and 
afterwards Dane Professor in the Law School of Harvard Univer- 
sity, and well known as lecturer and an author of several law text 
books ; H .G . O. Colby, author of the Massachusetts Practice and 
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas; and Horatio Pratt, well re- 
membered by the older members of the bar as a formidable antag- 
onist, and for a time Commonwealth's Attorney in this district. 



TIIK BANOUET. I 33 

Need I name Henry Williams, whose recent death we deplore, 
a man of rehned manners, of scholarly tastes, of unswerving rec- 
titude and greatly interested in our local history. He was Vice 
['resident of the Old Colony Hi-storical Society and a member of 
I lie committee appointed to take preliminary measures for this cele- 
bration. .\t the time of his death, he was the senior member of 
the Bristol County Bar. Many years ago he represented this dis- 
trict during two terms of Congress. He was also a member of the 
last Massachusetts State Constitutional Convention. He was a 
descendant in the seventh generation of Richard Williams, fore- 
most among those early settlers of Cohannet whom we this day 
especially honor. 

1 may also mention that Samuel Sumner Wilde, who for thirty 
li\e years was a Judge of the Supreme Judicial Court, was a na- 
tive of 'I'aunton. He studied law here in the office of Judge 
Barnes but removed to the State of Maine before entering the 
Bar. 

And what citizen of Taunton whose memory goes back to a 
period before the war will not recall the venerable form of Anselm 
Bassett, the veteran of the bar — who was in active practice nearly 
lifty seven years, covering the entire official terms of Chief Jus- 
tices Parsons, Sewall, Parker and Shaw. 

The former lawyers of Taunton : — in response to the call on 
this memorable day what familiar names rise up in the memory. 

There were Breck and Burgess son of Tristam, Cushing and 
Cobb son of the sturdy old General, Dean, Danforth and Ellis and 
Hodges, Sanford, District Attorney, and the Sproats in three gen- 
erations, filling the office of Clerk of Courts in two, Tillinghast and 
Townsend and Vickery. .A^ll these and perhaps others whom my 
memory now fails to summon from the shades of the past, have in 
tlieir day and generation according to the measure of their ability 
and honor aided in administering the law among the citizens of 
Taunton. 

"The Mayors' Club " : — Taunton lias been a city for 
twcnt}' four years but it is only for three years that her 
nia\()rs lia\-e belonged to a convivial crowd called the Mayors" 
Club. Man\- of that club \vc arc glad to see with us to-day, 
and I am going to call on the president of the club to tell us 
liow our niasors beha\e when the}' get away from home. I 
l)resent to nou tlie Hon. ilugli O'l^rien of Boston. 



134 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

RESPONSE BY HON. HUCiH o'bRIEN. 

Mr. President :— 

I consider it a great privilege to be present on this occasion, 
to unite with you in celebrating your two hundred and fiftieth 
anniversary, and to congratulate you on the growth and prosperity 
of the past two hundred and fifty years. 

As President of the Mayors' Club, I am also authorized to ex- 
tend to you the heartiest greetings from every city in the Common- 
wealth. We all rejoice in your prosperity. Quite a number of the 
mayors are pfesent, and if it were not for the unfavorable weather 
almost every city in the Commonwealth would have been repre- 
sented by her chief magistrate. Your toastmaster alludes to the 
social feature of the Mayors' Club. On this point I will merely 
say that we are guided largely by the temperance principles of 
your excellent chief magistrate. 

The city of Taunton possesses many natural advantages for 
building up manufacturing industries, but these advantages would 
not amount to much were it not for the enterprise, the industry 
and the integrity of your business men. In Boston we feel the in- 
fluence of this enterprise. One of the finest structures in Boston 
to-day, the Mason Building, was erected by one of your leading 
manufacturers from the product of his workshop in Taunton. It 
was the pioneer of those large buildings now in process of erec- 
tion and in contemplation, and has added largely to our taxable 
valuation. As your historian very truly remarked, in his very able 
and eloquent address, that Taunton was largely indebted to citi- 
zens of Dorchester, now a prominent part of Boston, for its early 
settlement, it is very proper now for the wealthy citizens of Taun- 
ton to help us build up the leading commercial city of New 
England, the home of many of their ancestors. 

These centennial celebrations are events that forcibly recall 
the past landmarks that mark our progress. It was only a few 
weeks ago, when, in the great city of New York, we celebrated the 
one hundredth anniversary of the inauguration of President Wash- 
ington. What a history these one hundred years recall. When 
Washington was inaugurated President in 17S9, the population of 
the country was a little more than 3,000,000 people. Now, after 
the lapse of one hundred years our population is about 65,000,000 
people. I repeat what a wonderful history, what a marvellous 
growth and prosperity! I should feel proud to-day, after listening 
to your honorable record and progress for the past two hundred 
and fifty years, if I could call myself a citizen of Taunton, but we 
must all feel proud that we are citizens of this great Republic 
whose growth and prosperity have been so wonderful. 



THE HANOUET. I 35 

^'oll, citizens of Taunton, have reached the venerable a<;e of 
two hundred and Hfty years, but as a city your existence only goes 
Iiack twenty-four years, and as a city you are youthful and vigor- 
ous. Your city is recognized by the Mayors' Club as one of the 
prominent cities of the Commonwealth, your municipal govern- 
ment has always been excellent, your schools and institutions of 
learning, your charitable institutions and your homes for the poor 
and unfortunate compare favorably with any other city in the state. 
We hope that this prosperity will continue for generations to come. 
I am aware that time is precious on these centennial celebrations 
and will detain you no longer. 

The Press of Taunton, past and present : — You may 
now be thinking of our venerable fellow citizen who for 
forty years, as a faithful and efficient journalist gave us all 
the daily and weekly news we needed to know. Perhaps I 
ought not to call a man venerable whose stej:) is still as 
elastic as a boy's, but it will have to be admitted that for about 
four score years he has stood erect under a name which, very 
appropriately, is a whole encyclopedia of the early settlers — 
John Williams Dean Hall. But Capt. Hall is now indulg- 
ing his antiquarian tastes and has left editorial work to 
younger men. So upon a younger man I will call. I am 
hajipy to present to you the Hon. William Reed, Jr., of the 
Taunton Daily (iazette, who for the last seventeen years has 
labored with gratifying success to make his pen mightier 
than his — scissors. 

KE.SPONSE I?V HON. WILL1.\M REED, jK. 

J/r. Toastmixster, Ladies and Ge/itle»ien : — 

He who brings up the rear of an oratorical procession has as 
hard a place as the last straggler of an army corps. Hence the 
policy of brevity to escape from trouble as soon as po.ssible. It 
will not take long to tell the story of the press of the early days of 
Taunton. There was none. The town had no newspaper from 
1639101820 — a period of 181 years. The seaport .settlements, 
with their varied mercantile interests, their men who were like 
those old Athenian.s — continually asking after some new thing — 
learned the value of ink and paper much sooner than the farmers 



136 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

of the interior. The people of /raunton. like most of the rural 
neighborhoods, were content to depend upon Boston and Newport 
for glimpses of the outside world, and upon each other for the 
gossip of the village exchanged at the church door or the country 
store. In 1820 the first weekly newspaper was born, and it still 
lives in the Republican, vigilant and prosperous. In 1848 the 
tirst daily appeared — the Gazette — and that paper can speak for 
itself to-day much better than I can speak for it. Journalism once 
introduced became firmly rooted. Every appliance to expedite or 
lighten labor, gather or disseminate the news, was promptly 
adopted. The press grew with the town, and it can be safely said 
that the newspaper ofifices of Taunton are as well equipped 
to-day and as prompt to serve the public as those of any other 
provincial city of New England. That the press of Taunton will 
ever be ready to mirror the record of the day I can with assurance 
predict. That it will be the mainstay of the orator of the next 
centennial celebration is certain, and by its industry he will have a 
far easier time in groping among the shadov/s of the past than the 
eloquent gentleman who has done that work for us to-day. The 
press of the past and the present has been devoted to the best 
interests of the city. 'I'here will be no falling off in the efforts of 
the press of the future. It will go on from strength to strength. 

His Excellency, Governor Herbert \V. Ladcl, of Rhode 
Island, being' present, with his Staff, was prej^ared to re- 
s))ond for Rhode Island, as follows : — 

This great anniversary, which we are celebrating, has more 
than a passing interest for me, for although the neighboring state 
of Rhode Island has adopted me, fostered and kindly invested me 
with honors far beyond my merits, I cannot forget that I am a 
Bristol County boy; that in the adjacent city of New Bedford I 
was born, reared and learned what it is to be an American citizen. 

When I received the invitation to participate in these festivi- 
ties with you, a pardonable feeling of pride took possession of me. 
and I looked forward with great pleasure to this visit to the old 
town of my youthful associations, which has a place of warm af- 
fection in my heart, and where I spent many pleasant hours. In 
reviewing its history, the wonderful power of endurance of the 
men and women at the time of its settlement is most forcibly 
brought to my mind. From all stations in life they came, from the 
daughter of a nobleman to the honest yeoman. 

Just three years ago the good old City of Providence from 
whicii I came to-day, celebrated her -'50th anniversary with similar 



THK liANOUET. 137 

rejoicings and without any disloyally to that dear little hut sturdy 
State into which I have had the honor of being engrafted, I feel 
to-day the same pride that I felt on that occasion. I was proud of 
ancient Providence with her grand history of progress and 1 am 
proud to-day of having been born in the same county that contains 
this old Taunton of historic fame. 

It gives me pleasure in behalf of Rhode Island to extend to 
Taunton and her good citizens the warmest congratulations on this 
happy event, and to hope that the prosperity of which there is such 
abundant evidence present, may continue. 

The business and social relations existing between the people 
of Bristol County and Rhode Island are exceedingly close and in- 
timate. Rhode Island has been very kind to the sons of Massa- 
chusetts. Three consecutive Governors were born in the Bay 
State, two of them in this Bristol County. There is my good friend 
Davis, most appropriately called "Honest John Davis" who was 
elected to the highest office in the State and who left behind him 
a most honorable record. He was born in Bristol County. Fol- 
lowing him came Hon. Royal C. Taft whom many of you know and 
of whose faithful service the people of Rhode Island are still talk- 
ing He is a Massachusetts man. Last as I have said. New Bed- 
ford was my birthplace. 

You cannot give too great honor to the memory of those who 
settled this town, and I feel assured that the next two hundred and 
fifty years will advance Taunton even more than the last have 
done. 

Hon. Elijah A. Morse, Congressman elect from the 
Second Massachusetts District, was a guest of the city dur- 
ing the Celebration. He was pre})ared to resi)on(l to the 
toast, — "The Congress of the United States, " had the time 
permitted. By urgent invitation of the Committee, he furn- 
ished what he woidd have said, as follows : — 

1 feel honored by being invited as a guest upon this interest- 
ing occasion ; but perhaps the emotion and inclination up|3ermf)st 
in all our hearts to-day would be to pause amid our festivities and 
let fall a tear of sorrow and sympathy with the sufferers by the 
sudden and appalling providence of Cod that has overtaken a 
section of our country. We cannot understand it, but we will 
obey the command, "Be still and know that I am Ciod, '" and 
•'Shall not the judge of all the earth do right.''" 



T38 OUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

But, fellow citizens, I congratulate you upon this auspicious 
occasion, and in answer to my toast, and so far as I have the hon- 
or to represent Massachusetts as a Member of Congress from the 
Second District, I bring you salutations of the nation and the 
Commonwealth. 

It seems almost impossible for us to roll back the tide of time 
for two hundred and fifty years and realize, in the language of an- 
other, that "where you now sit, surrounded by all that adorns and 
embellishes civilized life, the rank thistle nodded in the wind and 
tht; wild fox dug his hole unscared ; beneath the same moon that 
now shines on you the Indian lover wooed his dusky mate, and here 
lived and loved another race of beings. " 

But why should you celebrate this day ? Why should the 
sons and daughters of Taunton from every section, from every 
clime, from over the sea, return to their native town and city, to 
the home of their fathers ? I remember to have read the reply of 
an Indian chief, a copper colored son of the forest, to the demand 
of a United States Commissioner that he and his people should 
leave their lands and remove to a distant reservation. The Red 
man pleaded, in pathetic tone, "that in this valley his tribe had 
lived for centuries ; here they had held communion with the Great 
Spirit; they heard his voice in the thunder and in the rushing 
water; they saw his tears in the rain drops, and in this valley the 
bones of their fathers were buried. " Vou can at least plead that 
here the bones of your fathers were buried, men who knew no fear 
but the fear of God. 

It is said, that the sailors of Columbus on approaching this 
shore across a trackless and unknown ocean, detected strange, 
spicy and sweet odors in the air. They were still prisoners in 
their little ships, nothing but the lloundless ocean in sight, shore- 
less, trackless, but they knew the land was near. 

The unknown ocean of the future and eternity stretches out 
before you to-day, but in the reminiscences of the past you to-day 
recall the forms and faces of loved ones gone on before, and joy- 
ous anticipations of a heavenly reunion are wafted to you from 
the better land. Unseen hands are beckoning you to a higher, 
nobler, grander manhood and womanhood. "What mean ye by 
these stones? " In answer, I repeat a remark I made over the graves 
of our fallen comrades on Memorial evening, in yonder hall. "The 
father of Hannibal once brought his son into the presence of the 
Carlhagenian army, and on his bended knee taught him to swear 
eternal hatred to the Romans. Let us bring our sons and daugh- 
ters to this Memorial occasion, and pledge them anew to everlast- 
ing love of libertv, of our free institutions, of our free schools, as 



THE RANOUKT. 139 

our fathers made them, and everlasting; hatred of tyrants and 
oHgarchies. 

The Apostle Paul on his journey to Rome came to the place 
of Appii Forum, and the Three Taverns, and it is recorded the 
brethren came out to meet him, and "he thanked Ood and look 
courajje. " 

Citizens of Taunton, you have struck the Three Taverns and 
Appii Forum to-day and on this 'I' wo Hundred and Fiftieth An- 
niversary, as you review the past and anticipate a glorious future, 
you may thank God and take courage. 

George A. Shove, Esq., of Dighton, was prepared to 
respond to a call from the Toastmaster, for the " South 
Purchase, " as follows : — 
Mr. Toastmaster: — 

I should prefer that a person more accustomed to public 
speaking than myself had been chosen to respond to this toast. 

One of my ancestors, the Rev. George Shove, third minister 
of Taunton, and one of the grantees in the deeds from the Sachem 
Philip of the land (hat is now the town of Dighton, had some 
reputation for eloquence in the good Old Colony days, when, as 
^\'endell Phillips once said, the air was black with sermons, but 
his mantle as an orator has not fallen upon myself. 

If it were bleak November instead of early June, this occasion 
would remind one strongly of Thanksgiving time, when the child- 
ren, after long absence, return to the old homestead to see the 
folks and enjoy a good dinner. Dighton, Berkley, Raynham, Nor- 
ton, Easton and Mansfield, worthy children of Taunton, not a 
black sheep among them.- — -though it might be supposed by one 
who took all this bountiful preparation of fatted calves and other 
delicacies to be solely on their account, that they were long lost 
prodigals, over whom there was great rejoicing, — are all here to- 
day and bring their congratulations at the evidences of prosperity 
they see around them. 

Of the many things for which Taunton is to be congratulated 
it is hardly my province to speak, even if time permitted, l)ut I 
may mention, from its connection with this celebration, the C)ld 
Colony Historical Society, whose headquarters are one of the at- 
tracti\e resorts of the city. If such societies had been common 
in past ages history would be a more satisfactory study than it is. 
Hardly a year passes in which some of our long fixed beliefs, dril- 
led into us at school, are not proved to be either false or apocry- 



140 OUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEI3RATIOX. 

phal, SO that it would not be very surprising if there were a pre- 
vailing Pyrrhonism in regard to many of the unassailable facts of 
history. And the iconoclasts are still at work smashing our idols. 
One of the latest assaults of these gentry is upon what has been 
considered an undoubted historical fact for many generations. 
We had hardly got used to the deposal of Cristoval Colon as the 
first discoverer of America, and the installation of Leif Ericsson, 
the Norseman, in his place, when now comes a French investigator 
who proves, at least to his own satisfaction, that America was not 
named tor Amerigo Vespucci, but for the Amerique mountains, 
and that Vespucci's prenomen was not Amerigo but Ameligu. 

Will there be any such doubt in the distant future over the 
prominent events of to-day as there is now over those of the re- 
mote past. It seems impossible, yet it may be that in that far off 
day when Macaulay's New Zealander shall be seen sitting on a 
broken arch of London Bridge sketching the ruins of St. Paul's, 
there will be a warm controversy somewhere on this planet over 
the question whether it was Harrison and Morton, or some other 
persons w'ho were President and Vice President of the United 
States in this year of grace, 1889. 

The main points in the history of Dighton have been given in 
Judge Bennett's able address and, after the feast of good things 
of which we have partaken, you would hardly thank me if I 
brought on a dish of dry dates. One of the Schlegels, I do not 
now recall which of the cwo philosophic (lerman brothers it was, 
advanced the dictum that a historian should be a prophet looking 
backward. We are all historians, in a certain sense, to-day, and 
it will not be out of place for one of us, instead of going over the 
past to use the other prerogative of the historian and take a brief 
look into what the future probably has in store. 

It needs no special gift of prophecy to believe that there are 
persons in this hall who, if Taunton encourages her manufacturing- 
industries as she ought, will see within her corporate limits a pop- 
ulation of a hundred thousand people. Her already magnificent 
Heet of coasters will have grown with her growth and will, perhaps, 
include vessels for foreign trade. The narrow, shallow, and tor- 
tuous channel up to the enterprising village at the Weir, which 
now lets out her larger craft — her inaccessibility to her own fleet 
reminding one of the jest about a shipwreck on the coast of Bohe- 
mia, an analogue to which would be a shipwreck on the coast of 
Oklahoma — will, long before the time we are considering, if it is 
not so already, be totally inadequate tt) the needs of her commer- 
cial marine; where, then, will be the headtpiarters of her maritime 
activity.' It will inevitably be at the nearest available point on 



THE RANOUET. I4 I 

the river, which is at Digliton, where it ought to be now. The 
channel, at that place, runs for nearly two miles close to the shore, 
forming admirable sites for spacious wharves. The river broadens 
into a lake-like expanse; there is a fair depth of water now and, 
with a little outlay for dredging at two or three points, not enough 
lo reduce our uncle's surplus to any alarming extent, there would 
be depth sutificient for even a five master, like the Governor Ames. 

It is understood by those in a position to know that it would 
not be very difficult to induce the Old Colony Railroad Company 
to remove its upper bridge and find a way to Fall River and New- 
port for its western branch by way of the Slade's Ferry bridge, 
which would leave the way fairly open to the sea. As the port of 
entry and maritime headcjuarters of Taunton for large craft. Weir 
X'illjige still being the headquarters for smaller vessels, Dighton 
would become a thriving seaport and would be to your city what 
Leith is to Edinburgh or the Pira:ais to Athens. Taunton would ex- 
tend its avenues of residences and business blocks far down stream 
to meet more than halfway its great need, an accessible seaport of 
its own close at hand. Then would be vindicated the judgment of 
Capt. Thomas Coram, founder of the city of Halifax and of the 
London Foundling Hospital, who, nearly two hundred years ago, 
came over from England and set up large shipyards in the Taunton 
South Purchase, now the town of Dighton. 

Our town is now chiefly noted for two things — for the pro- 
duction of that luscious fruit, of which a quaint English writer made 
the oft quoted remark that "doubtless God could have made a 
better berry but doubtless God never did," and for having its name 
connected with that inscribed monolith, or bowlder, which lies, half 
buried in the mud on the eastern bank of the river, which has so 
long been a bone of contention to archaeologists, and the rudely 
drawn characters on the face of which are so obscure and indeter- 
minate that, with a little aid from the imagination, they may be 
made to support almost any theory as to" their genesis. 

When the changes that I have briefly touched upon — which is 
all that can be done in the few minutes allowed for this post-pran- 
dial talk — shall have been brought about by Father Time's whirli- 
gig, and that day may not be very distant, our town will be noted 
among other things, for the many gallant craft which will arrive at 
and clear from its wharves, for the manufacturing industries which 
will spring up in connection with its commerce, and for the hun- 
dreds of handsome villas which will adorn the slopes of its hills 
and the sides of its shaded avenues. It might, indeed, take on 
such a boom as to consider itself the city and look upon Taunton 
only as a suburb, (though I trust that none of the Tauntonians 



142 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

present will be unduly alarmed at the suggestion,) in that case it 
could say to its parent as the bumptious youth, who had taken his 
father into partnership, said, as they stood admiring their new sign 
with its legend of Timpkins and Father in large letters, "me and 
you, old boy, will do a staving business. " 

I will close by offering this sentiment, may this occasion be the 
beginning of a closer union, socially and commercially, between 
Taunton and her river-child, her seaport that is to be, the pleasant, 
liealthy and fertile township of Dighton. 

Hon. John E. Sanford was invited to speak for the 
mother-town in Old England, which he had visited but de- 
clined. Also, Hon. Charles A. Reed, being called on to re- 
spond for the General Court, in both branches of which he 
had served, through lack of time, felt obliged to decline. 

The decorations of the banqueting hall were all in good 
taste and under the direction of the chairman of the commit- 
tee on decorations, Alderman Edward H. Temple. The 
table arrangements were successfully carried out by the com- 
mittee on banquet, of which Alderman Charles S. Anthony 
was chairrhan. Reeves' American Band rendered choice se- 
lections during the progress of the feast. Too much cannot 
be said in praise of the Beethoven Society, which, under the 
leadership of Director Soule, both in the morning at Music 
Hall and in the afternoon at the banquet, rendered most ex- 
cellent service. This Society since 1847* ^^^ been identified 
with the best interests of music in Taunton and its vicinity, 
having on its roll of membership such names as Crandell, 
Sproat, Hodges, Tinkham, Perry, Dunbar, Jackson, Taylor, 

*In an interesting article, supposed to be by Capt. J. \V. D. Hall, in the Union 
(iazette and Demoerat, of Taunton, Jan. 29, 1874, it is stated "the Beethoven Society 



rganized in 1821." Among its members^ were "Abieser Dean, Jotham Colbnrn, 

ui. A. F. Spi 
/.pphauiah L. Hodges, Klias and Nathan Fisher, Oen, Cromwell Washburn, John 



lien j. Seaver, James and Wm. A. F. Sproat, Thomas C. Brown. Dea. .Tazaniah Snni- 



W. Scabiiry, Wni. B. Crandell, Ilichmond Dean, Col. Adoniram Crane, ol P.erkley. 
i;ilis Mall. "Otis and Caleb S. Washburn, ol Raynliam, Julia Dean, Nancy Sproat, 
Abby lugcll, IJiza Seabury, Kleauor Dean, Mary Shaw, Nancy Hall, l"oily Hood. 
Col. S. Fobcs, oT r.iid-ewatcr, was Director, Jotham Colburn, instnnnental leader, 
and .lanics Spioat, Secretary." 

musician, originated in Taunton. The First 
f Mozart, ceased to exist and the Beethoven 



cr Sliaw, wli 


o \v: 


IS eiiiincnt as 


1, altcrward 


tali 


iug the name ■ 


IS virtually ;i 


1 ne\ 


V organization 



THE I'.ANOUET. 1 43 

Dean, Soule, Winch, Hridgham, Abbott, Clemson, Goss, 
Woodward, Lovering, Rhodes, Paige, Cutler, Ilayman, Mon- 
roe, Fuller, Lord, Totten, Richards, Reed, Wood, l^Msh, 
1^'rench, and hundreds of others which are now and for long 
years have been associated with song in this region. The 
rehearsals of this Society, under the direction of Mr. Zerrahn, 
largely contribute toward the success of the autumnal three 
days' festival of the South Eastern Massachusetts Musical 
Association ; of this as of the Beethoven Society, Mr. Lean- 
der Soule is an active member, having belonged to the latter 
since 185 i, and been a large part of the time its director. 
Wm. B. Crandell will long be remembered as the first presi- 
tlent of the Beethoven Society in its re-organized form and a 
great promoter of music, both vocal and instrumental. 

Taunton has not been wanting in musical composers 
since Sumner wrote his remarkable Ode on Science and had 
it sung in the latter part of the last century at the opening 
of Bristol Academy. Our recent celebration suggested the 
compositions which are to be found on the following pages. 
They were sung, with excellent effect, at intervals during the 
progress of the after-dinner exercises. 

The Anniversary Ode was sung by the following quar- 
tette : — Mrs. Cora Elizabeth Rhodes, first soprano; Miss 
Emily Hayman, second soprano ; Mr. Thomas Lord, tenor ; 
Mr. Arthur Barton Totten, basso. 

The Trio was rendered, under the direction of Mr. Soule, 
as follows : — First soprano, Mrs. Cora Elizabeth (Dyer) 
Rhodes, Mrs. Hannah Fifield Abbott, Miss Caroline Thomas 
Cutler; first alto, Mrs. Abbie Grinnell (Barrell) Goss, Mrs. 
Helen Otis (Briggs) Monroe, Mrs. Mary Louise (Park) 
Paige ; second alto, Miss I'^lizabeth Speight Cutler, Miss 
Emily Hayman, Mrs. Martha (Allen) Hanson. 



FESTIVAL ODE. 

Words by Mrs. Eleanor S. Deane. Music by George W. Dean. 

^ -0- ■* . -0- •»■ -0- ^ -0- ■0-i** I ij i 



1. Ye cit - i-zens of Taun-toii, Who love her fair re - 

2. Tliey founded homes and churches, And schools; they tilled the 



--J-,-^- 



4 J_.-_J— J- 



li 



)::i=JiZ|=ir=i=J:^i^=-^-i==;_|^=r:ji=vzipi: 

^ *^ #" » ^ ^—2^ ^ —--I -*- 

I 1 1 — «l 1 -^ 1-0--^ — '<-, — ! f^m r-i — I • s 



iiown, (iive hoii - or to the men of wortli Who built this olden 
soil; They tauijht their sons the fear of (iod; Tliey lived by honest i 



5--_^-T^t:i 



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town. The first ad - ven-turers ne'er for - get. Nor e'er 
toil. The [U-d Men of the for -est wild Were broth - 



i^Ji-gz: 



_ , , 2 » , ^ ^^ ^ ZL 



;SS=3EEb!' 



;et tlu' few 



Who braved the sav - age wil - der - nes.« 
Weie of - ten lodged be - neath their rool 



^ --^1 — I — \ — I H P — I - 1 ^ — '- 



Whose hearts were strong and true, Who braved the sav - a<re 
And seat - ed by their fires, Were of - ten lodged be - 



s 



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wil - der - ness 
Heath their roofs, 



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Whose hearts were strong and true. 
And sea - ted by their fires. 



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They brought from " Merrie England' 

The love of liberty, 
Were loyal — but not England's self 

Might dare oppress the free. 
Among the sisterhood of towns 

First Freedom's flag to raise ; 
For honor, conscience, country, law, 

Alert in later days. 

■J. 
Such were our city's founders; 

Such have their children been ; 
And generous deeds and peaceful arts 

Still keep their memory green. 
We cannot name them in our song. 

But cherisli in our heart, 
And in old Taunton's fair renown 

Would bear a filial i)art. 



ANNIVERSARY HYMN. 

Words by Mrs. Eleanor S. Deane, Music by Anuie M. (Soule)-Lewis. 



?_^=--_rL 



^— • 



lii=l=^ 



1. Kind stian - gers we wel - oomo you. To the 



m 



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D-il: 



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9:^-9 9 — it- 



2. And wel - come ye com - rades old, Who re 



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:5. One house - hold we meet to - day, And give 



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scenes of our fes - ti - val day, To ban- quet, song, sto 



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i « m • ^_ 



-y — )/ — yi- 



turn to the pla-ces once known, With thoughts of the days 



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thanks for thefath-ers of old. The moth - ers true, lev 



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ly, and lay; Good wo-men, brave men and true. Your 






S^=^£^^|=p5 



long since gone, Friends bet-ter than rubies and gold. Your 



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^^__^___,_ 



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ing, yet bold. In song let them live for aye. In 



hands we chisp Witli friendly grasp; As in glad-ness of soul we 



?=z=iA=:l^zz>; 



• — • — ^^^:^ 






jtHDt 



liomes of youth, Of love and truth, Hold the hearts that never grc 



other ways, Men in la - ter days Have as faithful-ly wrought as 



79- 



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i 



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# — • — I — ^ — 0- 



ti-^it 



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ing, Your hands we clasp With friendly grasp; As in 



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cold, Your homes of youth,Of love and truth. Hold the 



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they. In oth - er ways.Men in la-ter days. Have as 



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f » • P ^ ~\ — I — — >. — q ^ 



glad-ness of soul we sinj 



While our 






hearts that nev - er grow cold. While our riv - er 









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faith-ful - ly wrought as they. 
(2.) 



While the lit - tie 






Ltut 



_, ^_ 



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sea - ward flow- eth; Long as sum-mer's bloom is seen, 



S^^ 



a?5 



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sea - ward flow - eth, Long as sea - son's change is seen, 



:rt>: 



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Taun - ton How - eth, Wheels re-volve and spin - dies play. 



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Welcome to old Taun-ton Green. In heart we're brothers; Our 



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15' 

Welcome to old Taun-ton Green. For aye we're brothers. The 



s==^=^^5:e 



^=^=E3 



-^ — s — s- 



Taun-ton bids good com - ers stay. Then let us ev - er give 



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country is one; Though we praise our father's here, Our 



— ^# — • — ~ — ff • — •-'-!* — - — •?• — *:r~^l*"*~* *" 

sons of the free; Where the woodland, stream and mead. Were 






::l=:^^:!: 



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thanks to our God, For the free-dom of our land. For 
(3.) 



"-| ^-*5 — N- 



J=^f=t: 



:?z=iP^: 



nation's he -roes all are dear; No dream of re-nown led them 



« ^ StS^I 



:i^=4^ 



UtZE 



haunts where the wolf and bear might feed, They wrought for the towns yet to 

-Mz 



Ft? IiT^ 



f~5 ^ ^^^ 



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5 i_? * 

men of worth who with heart aud hand, For right and for truth they have 



on. Their no - ble names Are ours and fame's, And their 



3^5^ 



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be. Their hon - est names Are ours and fame's.And theii 



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stood. Their no -ble names Are ours and fame's. And for 



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deeds are our her 



tage, Their no - ble namesAre 



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— ^ — ^— ^- 



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btzzit=?i=it 



faith is our her 



tage, Their hon - est names Are 



iz±=4=^: 



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aye in our songs shall live. Their no - ble names Are 
(4.) 



:^2, 



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<iurs and fame's; And their deeds are our liei 



Wi 



tatre. 



's^i^fe^i^^iisiiiS] 



ours and fame's; And their faith i.' 



her 



ta-c. 



ours and fame's; And for aye in our sonsis shall live. 



i^3 






-0 « 0- 



Sii 



- N 1 S- 



While the lit - tie Taunton flow - eth; Wheels re - volveand 



£E: 



■3.1 



* IT' -0. -^ Jj^ ^ ^ ^ .^_* ^ 

While the lit - tie Tauu - ton flow - eth ; Wheels re - volve and 



-ifc: 



d=^:=d: 



While the lit - tie Taun - ton flow - eth ; Wheels revolve and 



-._^_^_ 



-4=-i- 



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spin - dies play, Taun - ton hids good eoni - ers stay. 






ipin-dles play, Tauu- ton hids good cdui - ers stay. 



]] 



spin - dies play, Taun - ton bids good com - ers stay, 



THK HANOUET. IS' 



i.wiiKi) (iUKSTs oi- rm-: city. 

l>(!!ij;iinin IJiinison. President U. 8. A., and wile; Levi I'arsons Mor- 
ion, Viee Piesidenl,, U. S. A., and wife; Oliver Ames, Governor of Miis- 
saehusetts, and Staff; John Quiney Adams Brackett, Lient. -Governor of 
Miissnclinsetts: Herbert Warren Ladd. Governor of Uhode Island, and 
Staff: Henry Laurens Dawes, U. S. Senator from Massachusetts; George 
Krisbie Hoar, U. S. Senator from Massaehusetts; Charles Sturtevanl 
llandall. Representative in Congress from 1st Mass. Dist. ; Elijah Adams 
Morse, Representative in Congress from 2d Mass. Dist. t Arthur Webster 
Tufts, member of the Governor's Council, Massacliusetts; Henry Bailey 
Peirce, Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; TTiiriis 
("owdrey Hartwell. President of the Massachusetts Senate; William 
Emerson Barrett, Speaker of the Mass. House of Representatives; Mel- 
ville Weston Fuller, Chief Justice of the U. S. Supreme Court; Marcus 
^[orton. and wife, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Massachu- 
setts; Lincoln Flagg Brigham. Chief Justice of the Superior Court of 
Mass.: Elliott Sandford, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Utah: 
Hiram Putnam Harriman. Judge of Probate, Barnstable County. Mass.: 
Benjamin Winslow Harris, Judge of Probate, Plymouth Coiuity Mass.: 
(Jeorge White, Judge of Probate, Norfolk County, Mass.: Charles 
Gideon Davis, Judge 3d Dist. Court, Plymouth Mass. ; Simeon Borden, 
Clerk of the Courts, Fall River, Mass. ; Caleb Benjamin Tillinghast, 
Stiite I-ibrarian. Boston, Mass.; Justin Winsor, Librarian, Harvard Uni- 
versity. Cambridge, Mass. ; John Davis Washburn, U. S. Minister to 
Switzerland: William Thomas Davis. Trustee, Pilgrim Society, Ply- 
iiiDuth, Mass.; William Seaver Danforth. Register of Deeds and Sec. 
I'ilg. Society, Plymouth, Mass.; John Ward Dean, Sec. of the New Eng- 
land Hist. Genealogical Society, Boston, Mass.; Amos Perry, Sec. and 
Librarian, Rhode Island Hist. Society, Providence, R. I. : Reuben Al- 
ii ridge Guild, Librarian, Brown University, Providence, R. I. ; George 
Ivlward H^llis, Rev., President, Mass. Historical Society, Boston, iVlass. : 
( Iriiles Henry Payne, Rev., Sec. Board of Education, M. E. church. New 
York city: Henry Martyn Dexter. Rev., New Bedford and Boston. Mass.: 
l'hilli]is Brooks, Rev., Boston, Mass.; George Edward Street, Rev., Exe- 
ler. New Hampshire: Richard Salter Storrs. Rev.. Brooklyn, N.Y. : 

Kufus Emery, Rev.. Newburgh, N. Y. : Thomas James Conaty, Rev., 
Worcester, Mass. ; Benjamin Henry Paddock, Bishop, Boston, Mass. ; 

riiomas Marsh Chirk. Bishop, Providence, R. 1. ; Martin Harkins. Bishop. 

ri(ivi(lcn<e. R. I.: William Andrew Leonard, Bishop, Gambler, Ohio: 

Thomas Hubbard Vaill, Bishop, Topeka, Kansas: Darius Nash Couch, 
(ieneral, and wife. Norwalk, Conn.; Ebenezer Weaver Peirce, (ieneral, 
Freetown. Mass.; Charles Jackson Paine, (General, Boston, Mass.: James 
Burrill .\ngell. President. University. .Ann Arbor, Michigan: .John 



152 gUAKTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

Oithoiiaux, riofcssor, Columbia College, New York city; Daniel Smith 
Talcott, Professor, Emeritus, Theological Seiniuaiy, Bangor, Maine; 
William Maxwell Evarts, U. S. Senator from New York; George Ban- 
croft, Washington, D. C, and Newport, R. I.; John (Ireenleaf Wiiittier, 
Amesbury and Danvers, Mass. ; Robert Charles Winthrop, Brookline and 
Boston, Mass. ; John Davis Long, Hingham and Boston, Mass.; Robert 
Treat Paine, Waltham and Boston, Mass. ; Charles Francis Adams, 
Quincy and Boston, Mass. ; Frederick Lothrop Ames, North Easton and 
Boston, Mass. ; Samuel Crocker Cobb, Taunton and Boston, Mass. ; 
Oliver Prescott, New Bedford, Mass. ; Alexander Hamilton Rice, Boston, 
Mass. ; George Dexter Robinson, Chicopee, Mass. ; William Wallace 
-Crapo, New Bedford, Mass.; Robert Thompson Davis, Fall River, Mass.; 
Ebenezer Rockwood Hoar, Concord, Mass. ; Moses Gage Leonard, Brook- 
lyn, N. Y. ; William Henry Leonard, Newcastle, N. Y. ; Joseph Hartwell 
Williams, Augusta, Maine; James Phinney Baxter, Portland, Maine: 
Josiah Hayden Drummond, Portland, Maine; Marquis Fayette King, 
Portland, Maine; John Wilson Smith, Providence, R. I.; Charles Wood- 
bury Thrasher, Springfield, Missouri; Llewellyn Deane, Washington, D. 
C. ; Thomas Merriam Stetson, New Bedford, Mass.; John Summerfield 
Brayton, Fall River, Mass. ; James Madison Morton, Fall River, Mass. ; 
Enoch Pratt, Baltimore, Md. ; Matthew Gault Emery, Washington, D. C. ; 
Elisha Clark Leonard, New Bedford, Mass.; Alfred Mason Williams, 
Providence, R. I. ; Charles Harrison Tweed, New York city; William 
Dexter Marvel, Brooklyn, N. Y. ; Charles Deane, Cambridge, Mass.; 
George Augustus Crocker, New York city; Chester Allyne Reed, North 
Attleboro', Mass.; James Heron Crpsman, New York city; William 
Thomas Crandell, Providence, R. I. ; Niels Arnzeu, Fall River, Mass. ,- 
Curtis Guild, and wife, Boston, Mass.; Stephen Ilolbrook Rhodes, Bos- 
ton, Mass. ; Samuel Leonard Crocker, Najiles, Italy; Arthur Kinglake, 
Justice of the Peace, County of Somerset, Taunton, England; John Mar- 
shall, Taunton, Somersetshire, England; Wilfred George Marshall, 
Taunton, Somersetshire, England; Edwin Slopcr, Taunton, Somerset- 
shire, England; Mayor and Corporation, Taunton Borough, Somerset- 
shire, England; Henry Rodney Barker, Mayor, Providence, R. I.; Almon 
Kent Goodwin, Mayor, Pawtucket, R. L ; Henry V. A. Joslin, City Clerk. 
Providence, R. 1.; Cyrenius A. Newcomb, Detroit, Michigan. 
Members of the Mas.'^aclntsetls Ma;/oi:s' Cluh. ]* resent or Post Mayors of 

Cities: — 

Thomas N. Hart, Hugh O'Brien, Boston; Samuel Winslow, Worces- 
ter; Charles D. Palmer, James C. Abbott, Lowell; James F. Jackson, 
John W. Cummings, Fall River; Henry H. Gilmore, William E. Russell, 
Cambridge; Alvan E. Mack, Alexander B. Bruce, Lawrence; Asa T. 
Ncwhall, George D. Hart, Lynn; Edward S. Bradford, Elisha Burr May- 
nard, Springfield; John M. Raymond, Salem; Walter Clifford, Morgan 



THE I5ANOUET. 153 

Ilotch, Xew Bedford; Cliarlus G. Pope, Mark F. Jiiuiis, Soincrvillc: 
Arthur B. Champlin, George E. Mitchell, Chelsea; Jeremiah F. Sullivan, 
.lames E. Uelaiiey, Ilolyoke; William W. French, David I. Robinson. 
Gloucester; Frederick G. Richards, Georftc H. Carleton, Joseph 11. 
Sheldon, Haverhill; J. Wesley Kimball, Heman M. Burr, Newton; Al- 
bert C. Titcomb, J. Otis Winckley, ISTevvburyport; Jeremiah Brown, 
Arthur Gaylord Hill, Northampton; Joseph F. Wisgin. Marcellus Cog- 
.<;an, Maiden; Eli Culley, Frederick Fosdick, Fitchburg; Albert K. 
Wade, John J. Whipple, Brockton; Henry N. Fisher, Waltham: Charles 
H. Porter, Quiucy; Edward F. Johnson, Woburn. 

Giles Luther Leach, Vice Pres. of Day, Berkley, Mass. ; Kollin H. Bal) 
bitt, Representative in House of Rep. from Berkley; Calvin T. Crane. 
Charles F. Paul, Gideon H. Babbitt, Selectmen, Berkley, Mass; Herbert 
A. Dean, Thomas P. Paul, Committee on Celebration, Berkley, Mass. 

George Ethelbert Gooding, Vice Pres. of Day, Dighton, Mass.; Jere- 
miah P. Edson, James E. Macker, Charles A. Rose, Selectmen, Dighton, 
Mass. ; Whitman Chase, Alfred Wood Paul, George A. Shov(!, Committee 
on Celebration, Dighton, Mass. 

Oakes A. Ames, Vice Pres. of Day, Easton, Mass. ; Hiram Williams 
George Copeland, Henry W. Heath, Selectmen, Easton, Mass. ; William 
L. Chattin, Edward Belcher Hayward, Committee on Celebration, Eas- 
ton, Mass. 

Erastus Maltby Reed, Vice Pres. of Day, Mansfield, Mass. ; Benjamin 
K. Flint, Valorus B. Hodges, Seth Carroll Shepard, Selectmen, Mansfield, 
Mass. ; Elkanah Hall, John W. Rogers, William B. Rogerson, Commit- 
tee on Celebration, Mansfield, Mass. 

Austin Messinger, Vice Pres. of Day, Norton, Mass. ; Charles 
Tower Oldfield, Charles Henry Makepeace, Oren E. Walker, Selectmen, 
Norton, Mass.; Samuel A. Chapin, Isaac T. Braman, George H. Talbot, 
Committee on Celebration, Norton, Mass. 

Nathan W. Shaw, Vice Pres. of Day, Raynhani, Mass.; Stephen li. 
Lincoln, Thomas B. Johnson, Elijah E. VVilliams, Selectmen, Raynham, 
Mass. ; Damon D. White, Joseph W. White, Jesse King, Soranus W. 
Hall, Charles T. Robinson, Edward F. Leonard, Alexis C. Dean, Jose])h 
R. Presho, Elwyn S. Harlow, Cyrus Leonard, 2d, Charles B. (iardiner. 
Charles H. Lewis, Sidney K. B. Perkins, Edward B. Wilbur, David G. 
Dean, Edward B. King, Committee on Celebration, Raynham, Mass. 

Mrs. Susan Tillinghast (Morton) Kimball, Boston Mass. ; Mrs. Lydia 
(Morton) Lee, Moline, Iowa; Mrs. Eliza Baylies (Chapin) Wheaton, Nor- 
ton, Mass.; Mrs. Ilariiet Little (Cliasc) I'ulsifer, Auburn, Maine; Mrs. 
Leonice Marston (Sampson) Moulton, Roslyn, N. Y. ; Mrs. Sarah Ann 
(Pease) Wadsworth, Auburn. N. Y. 



154 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELKHRATJON. 

The ]jrcccclin<;- list contains only the names of guests 
o[ the city from abroad. To past mayors of the city and 
other residents of Taunton the courtesy was extended but 
their names are not included. A larger part of our guests 
honored the occasion with their i)resence. A few excused 
their absence with such words of interest in our celebration 
as should be put on record : — 

[Letter from Lieut. -Governor Brackett.] 

Pleasant St., Arlington, June 2, 1S8U. 
AV'U. S. Ilnphuis Kmcrii, 

Deak Si I!: — I io<>ret very much that by reason of ilhiess, whicli eon- 
lines nie to my house, I shall not be able to attend the celebration at 
Taunton on Tuesday, the kind invitation to which I accepted several 
M'ceks a>;o. 

Very truly yours, 

J. Q. A. Bkackett. 

[Letter liom V. S. Senator IJawes.J 

PiTTSFiELD, Mass., May ;J1, ISSlt. 
li<r. S. Ilupkhis h'liicn/, Srrrrfuri/, Committef on IiivUdiious. Tdimiou. 

Md.SK. 

Dkai; .Siu:— I am in receipt of an invitation, for wiiich I tender my 
cordial thanks, to become a ouest of the city of Taunton on the 4th and 
■Mil days of June and participate in the celebration of the two hundred 
and littietli anniversary of the founding? of Taunton. It would b(! a 
l>lcasnre indeed to accept your hospitality, to visit the city for whose 
river 1 hiive voted so many appropriations, to tread the turf of the fam- 
ous Tiiunton Green, to lay some humble tribute at the tomb of the ven- 
erated Klizabeth Poole, and to be a witness of the marvellously thrifty 
i^rowth which has sprung from the seed which she sowed. It is witli 
,i;reat regret, therefore, that I lind myself compelled by the pressure of 
my eni;as;"enients to deny myself this pleasure. Accei)t, my dear sir, 
antl extend to your associates on the committee, my <>rateful acknowl- 
edgements of your courtesy and my best wishes for the success of the 
ceremonies of this notable occasion. 

\'ery truly yours, 

H. L. DAWjis. 

[Letter Iroiii L. S. Senator Hoar.] 

WOKCESTEU, JMASS.. Al'XilL 2'.), 1S81J. 

•My Dk.m; .Sii;: — 1 regret tliat I shall be absent from Massachusetts 
when the cclt^briitiou of the 2.')()th Anniversaiy of the Founding of Taun- 
ton will take place. Otherwise it would give me great pleasure indeed 
to take part in an occasion of so much interest. 

I am, faithfully yours. 
To Her. ,S. Uophiiis Eimrii. Geo. F. IIoai!. 



THE UAXOUET. 155 

[Lotter troin Chief Jiistico Fuller.l 

Washington, D. C, May 2o, 188'.». 
.»/r.s.s/-.N. Uirhanl ilvnni lIulK s,un>ivl Hopkins Enin-i/, millam E. Fuller, 
Jiihn W. 1). il'ill, Ifrin-y M. Loverhuj, Gconjc Alherf Wnxhhurn. 
(4KNTLEMEN: — It woulcl <^ive ine great pleasure to accept your invi- 
tation to participate in the ceremonies attendant upon the celebration 
of the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the founding of Taunton, 
but my engagements arc such that I find myself, to my regret, entirely 
unable to do so. 

Pray accept my acknowledgments of your courtesy and believe me. 
Very truly yours, 

M. W. FULLEK. 

[Letter Iroiu Chief Justice Brigham.] 

N^EW Bedfokd, MAYoI. ISS'.). 

//i c. >. Ifnpkijix Emery. Secrctnrii of the Committee on Invitutinns to the 

Celcbrrttioii of the Two Unnilnil hikJ Fiftieth Annirersanj of the 

foundinfj of Taunton. 

My Deau Sik: — My delay in replying to the gracious invitation of 

llic committee whose representative you are, has been due to tlu- liopc 

that [ might be able to attend and participate in the celebration ol the 

■J")Otii anniversary of the founding of Taunton. 

1 now lind that official duties will constrain me to be here, on the 
days of your celebration, to my great disappointment. 
Yours truly, 

Lincoln F. Buigiiam. 

[Letter from .ludge Davis.] 

Plymouth, May :J, 18S'.». 
Devi; .Siu: — I regret that the state of my health will prevent me 
Iron) undergoing the fatigue of enjoying your anniversary .services on 
the 4tli and ")th of June, which ,as a native of the Old Colony, 1 should 
be glad to attend. Old Plymouth is connected with Taunton by many 
interesting associations, historically, socially, and in business and law. 

Yours truly, 
h'ic. S. llopkinH Einrri/. Sern'tunj. CllAS G. Davis. 

[Letter from State Librarian Tillinj^hast.] 

Boston, May ;J1. i.sM». 
Hi r. s. Hojikins Eimr//, Srcytdrn of lite Connnittee on Invitations. 

Mv Deaii 8iij: — I am honored and obliged by the kind invitation of 
your committee to i)articipate in the ceremonies at the celebration of 
the (juarter millennial anniversary of the founding of Taunton, but re- 
gret tiiat I shall be obliged to forego the pleasure of its acceptance. ' 

For two centuries and a half the people of Taunton have illustratetl 
llie development of the intelligence, tlie virtue and the patriotism wliich 
unite to form tlie basis of New England civilization. It i.s well to honoi 
the founders, as well as their descendants who have cherished, defended 
and preserved the independence and i)urity of its civil life, inchuling the 



] ^C> QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

Ions roll of licr sons, eminent for tlicii' iibilifcy and their liit;li ideal of 
public service, which the municipality has furnished to the Colony, the 
I'rovinee and the Commonwealth. 

Yours very truly. 

C. B. TlLLINGUAST. 

(Letter froiii'the Secretary of the New Eiijilaiul Historic Genealogical Society. Soci- 
ety's House, 18 .Somerset Street, Boston, Mass.] 

Tuesday, May 7, ISS'J. 
Itcv. S. Hopkins Enienj, Scrrcttd-i/ of the (Joiamittec on Invifations. 

Deau 8iit: — I thank the Committee for their invitation to attend the 
t^uarter Millenary Celebration of the Foundin<f of Taunton. I am sorry 
to say that I shall not l)e able to acce^Jt it; for it would ^ive.inc si'ciit 
l)lcasurc to bo present on the occasion and assist in doing honor to the 
memory of those who have aided in raisin<]f your city to its present im- 
portant place among- the cities of New England; and particularly to the 
hardy men and courageous women who, two centuries and a half ago, 
made a home in this New World wilderness, and named it Taunton "in 
honor and love, " to use their own words, to their "dear native country." 
Respectfully yours, 

.John Wakd Uean. 

[Letter lioni Uev. C, H. I'ay"'' ] 

New Yoj!K, May 4, ISSU. 

To Rirh'inl lli'iii-u lIoU oikI olhrrs. Cnnimittri' on Inritatlonf<. Tanntun. 

Moss. 

(4i.;.\ti.emen: — 1 have the honor of acknowledging the receipt of 

your kind invitation to attend the 2.50th Anniversary of the founding of 

Taunton on the 4th and r)th of June next. I deeply regict that previous 

engagements will prevent my being present on that interesting occasion. 

1 had the honor to be born in the goodly town of Taunton, and bear 

a name honored in its annals and distinguished throughout our entire 

nation. I have always been proud of my birth place, and it would give 

me unfeigned pleasure to participate in the interesting exercises of the 

occasion to which you invite me. 

Please accept my thanks for the invitation, and my cordial good 
wishes and desire that the day may be as full of interest and good cheer 
as your highest anticipations compass. With sentiments of personal 
esteem, I am. 

Sincerely yours. 

C. IL Payne. 
(Letter Iroiu Uev. Lliilliiis Brooks,] 

Mr. Phillips Brooks acknowledges with many thanks the invitation 
which he has received to be present at the 250th Anniversary of the City 
of Taunton: and regrets exceedingly that he cannot accept it. 
Boston, May 27, 1889. 

fLetler (roni Rev. U. S. Storrs.] 

Bkooklyn, N. Y , May ;J, 1S8U. 
IvEV. AMI) Deaic Sii;: — I am honored by the invitation of the Com- 
mittee on the Celebration of the 25Utli Anniversary of the Founding of 



THE r.ANOi'Er. 157 

Taunton— an invitation so kindly conimnnieated by you— and am hearti- 
ly sorry that it is not in my power to ac<ept it. My engagements are such 
for the weeks intervening between this and the last of June as to make 
it impossible for me to be at Taimton on the days named, or on either 
of them. I remember Taunton very well as it was fifty six years ago, 
when as a lad I was there for a day "or two. I have rarely seen it since, 
but the early impression of its beauty and prosperity is still strong with 
me, and I have rejoiced to know from others that its promise of that day 
has been more than fulfilled in its subsequent charming, busy, and 
wealthy expansion. I never forget, and shall never forget, my early 
associations with the towns and villages of Eastern Massachusetts; and 
every anniversai-y celebration in any of them, of which I know, gives ;) 
fresh impulse to my backward-looking thoughts and love. 

Please to present to the Committee my thanks and my regrets, and 
believe me, my dear sir, with great regard. 

Ever faithfully yours. 
Tlio lii'VcriiKl S. Hopkins Enin-y. K. S. tSToniis. 

(Letter from Hov. Thomas J. County. ) 

Paris, May IS, 18SU. 
/?('(•. .S'. IIo[)khis Emn-y. 

My Dear Sin:— Will you kindly assure your committee of the very 
great pleasure given me by their •'Invitation." which was forwarded to 
me from Worcester and which I received here yesterday. As I have 
been obliged to seek relief from work by a trip abroad, I regret that I 
cannot enjoy the privilege of returning •' Home " as a son of Taunton 
to rejoice with our good old city, on her prosperous length of days. I 
am very grateful to your committee for kindly remembering me and I 
beg you to assure them that though distant from my old and cherished 
home during those days of rejoicing, I join with all who will enjoy her 
hospitality in wishing to our goodly city, a renewal of her youth and 
years of greater prosperity and happiness to all who will seek shelter 
within her boundaries. I rejoice with you and regret my absence from 
your festivities. 

I am yours respectfully, 

Thomas J. Coxaty. 

(Letter from Bishoi) Paddock.) 

Boston, May 4, ISSO. 
The- Bev. N. Hopkmi< Emeri/, Sccri'tarij, cfr., etc. 

Dkar Sir: — It would give me much pleasure to be present at the 
most interesting and valuable Historical Commemoration to which you 
do me the honor to invite me. But imperative official engagements make 
it impossible. 

1 am, sir, yoi\rs sincerely, 

Ben.t. H. Paddock, Bishop of Massachusetts. 

(Letter from IJishop Clark.) 

Providence, R. I.. Aprii. -ll, 18Sy. 

My Dear Old Friend:— I would like to look upon your face again 

and wish that 1 were in a coiulition to accept the very kind invitation of 

your committee, for I have many pleasant recollections of Taunton, but 



158 



QUARTER M(LLE\^KlAl. CELEBRATION. 



I am not stron<>' enough to bear the fatigue and excitement incident to 
such occasions. Please express my warmest thanks for the honor I 
have received from the authorities of your beautiful city, and be sure 
that I have not forgotten the days when we dwelt together in Amherst. 
Tfow few there are left, who started with us in tlie race! 
Very affectionately yours, 

Thomas M. Ci.akk. 
(Letter t'roiii Bishop H;nkiiis.) 

Peovidknce, May 21, 1880. 
Rev. Dear Sir: — The kind invitation extended to me by the Com- 
mitttee in charge of the Celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the 
founding of Taunton has been received. It would indeed be a pleasure 
for me to join with the citizens in the joyful commemoration of this 
event; and, with thanksgiving for the blessings of so many years, to 
w ish to the city every kind of prosperity in the years to come. 

But a previous engagement obliges me to be in Boston on the days 
appointed for your celebration, and thus renders it impossible forme to 
attend. 

With grateful recognition of your kind cointesy, I am, 
Yours respectfully, 

I\[ATTHEW Habkins, Bisliop of Providence. 

(Letter Irom Bislio]! Leonard, sometime of Washington, now ol Ohio.) 

Washington, D. C, May 20, 1880. 
Dkab Du. Emeby:— I greatly regret that I cannot be present at 
your great celebration on June 4th. next. But since I wrote last, T find 
that on that evening I must be home to marry Mr. Justice Gray, of the 
Supreme Court, to Miss Matthews — a parishioner, and daughter of the 
late Justice Stanley Matthews— I am much disai)pointed as I had intend- 
ed being with you. Please express my profound regrets to your col- 
leagues, and to my excellent and revered friend, Cajit. Hall. 

What a day it will be for old Taunton! Shades of my forefathers- 
how it would rejoice their venerable hearts! 

Faithfully, 

W. A. Leonard. 
iLetter liom (ieneral Coiicli.) 

NoRVFALK, Conn., May 7, 1880. 
.Uy/ Diar Eev. s. Ilapkuis Emcnj. Sccrffary of Comnntieo on Cehhralion. 
i-tc, rtc, Taunton. Mass. 
I have delayed answering the honored invitation of your Committee 
until this time, hoping the way might be clear for me to be present upon 
so interesting an event in the history of Taunton, but am now sorry to say 
that 1 shall not be able to join my friends and former fellow-citizens in 
its 2r)0th Anniversary. 

My wife desires me to present her thanks for your courtesy to her, 
with regrets that she will not be able to attend as a guest of the city. 

Trusting that the Celebration will be successful, and with many kind 
wishes for its ])articipants. 

I am, very trulv, 

D. N. Couch. 



THE BANQUET. I 59 

(Letter from Tresideiit Ange)!.') 
University ok Michigan. Ann Arbor, April 29, 18S'.i. 
My Dear Sir:— I beg to acknowledge my indebtedness to the coni- 
iuittee for tlie oomtesy of an invitation to attend tlie •i'lOtli Anniversary 
of the founding of Taunton. 

1 deeply jegret that my engagements will prevent me from accept- 
ing the invitation. The story of few of the old New England towns is so 
interesting and important as that of Tauntcni. As one connected by 
marriage with the Caswells of Taunton, I liavc a personal interest in the 
celebration. 

Yours truly, 
h'fK. s. Ihiphhis Kiiiiri/. TitinitoK. .Tajiks !'i. Angei.i,. 

(Letter lioiu Professor Talcott.) 

Bangor, ]\[e., June 1. ISSH. 
7'o the Comnuffee mi invitatinns, Taunton, Ma-'^s. 

Gentlemen:— Please accept ray thanks for the kind invitation sent 
me to be present at your approaching celebration. I liave long desired 
tliat it miglit at .some future time be in my power to make a pilgrimage 
to tiic old historic city of Taunton, and tJie more especially in view of 
tlie fact that one of the most warmly cherished friends of my youth, 
(although my junior in age,) whose name it is i)leasant to recognize 
among your number, has been for many years largely identified with the 
best interests of your community. 

The programme of your proposed celebration is certainly most at- 
tractive, and I trust that the weather may be such as to allow of its being- 
carried out in a manner worthy of the spirit which has planned it, and 
such as to secure to the multitudes that will be in attendance, an ample 
measure of enjoyment and of profit. 

P.e assured. Gentlemen, that it is with no ordinary regret that 1 feel 
myself obliged to say that just at the present time, peculiar circum- 
stances forbid me to' be absent from home. 

I am, Gentlemen, yours with high consideration and respect, 

D. S. Talcott. 

(Letter trom Hon. Robert C. Wintlirop.! 

Brookline, Mass., May 21. ISSO. 
lion. E.'H. Hall,~Chairui<in. li<r. s. II. Kmcri/, .Sem-tar;/. 

Gentlemen: — I thank you and your associates on the Committee, 
for including me among the invited guests of the City of Taunton for 
tlu' 4th and 5th of June next. It would afford me great pleasure to unite 
with you in celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the founding of the 
most ancient town of Bristol County, and in recalling the memory of its 
Wortliies, from the days of Elizai)eth Pool to those of tlie Baylies, and 
Crockers whom I have known and valued personally. But I dare 
not contemplate the fatigues of such an occasion, and can only offer you 
my grateful acknowledgments of the invitation, with my sincere regrets 
tliat 1 am unable to accept it. 

Believe me. Gentlemen, resp'y and truly yours, 
RoBT. C. Winthkop. 



l6o QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

(Letter from Hon. John T). Long.) 

HiNGHAM, Ape., 27, 1S8(». 
My Dear Sir: — I am in receipt of the kind invitation of the city of 
Tannton to the celebration of its 250th Anniversary. If my engage- 
ments will permit I shall be happy to attend, but I fear that on the 4t]i 
and r)th of June next, T shall be so engaged that I cannot do so. 
With many thanks for the courtesy I am, 

Truly yours, 
l!rv. S. TlxpkSm Emi-ry. . John D. Lonci. 

(Letter from Hon. Alexander H. Rice.) 

Boston. June 3, 1889. 
U. II. Ildll, Esq., ChairnKin, etc, Taunton, Mass. 

My Dear Sir: — I extremely regret that an unexpected engagement 
beyond my control, compels me to be in Boston to-morrow and the next 
day; and consequently deprives me of the anticipated pleasure of at- 
tending the commemorative festival in Taunton, this week. 

Believe me not less appreciative of the courtesy of your committee 
in this kind invitation. 

Very truly yours, 

Alexander H. PacE. 

(Letter from Hon. Georoe D.Robinson.) 

Chicopee, Mass., May 14, 1889. 
Jicv. S. Ilopkina Enif^ri/, Taunt nn Maxs. 

Deai: Sin; — I am under great obligations for the honor of the invi- 
tation in behalf of the City of Taunton to participate in tlie ceremonies 
of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the City, 
and regret to say in reply that I am constrained, by reason of engage- 
ments which I cannot avoid, to forego the pleasure of an acceptance. 
Accept my sincere wishes for the highest enjoyment of all who shall be 
in attendance or interested in the event, and for the continued pros- 
perity of the City and the happiness of all her people. 

Yours truly, 

Geo. D. Robinson. 

(Letter from Hon. E. Rock wood Hoar.) 

Concord, May 18, 1889. 
Messrs. Richard Henry Ilall, Sannicl Iloplins Emery and others, Connnit- 

tce on Invitations. 

Gentlemen:— I am much honored by the invitation of the City of 
Taunton to be present as its guest and participate in the ceremonies at 
the celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the founding of Taunton, 
on the 4t]i and 5th of June of this year, and regret extremely that my 
state of health will not allow me to accept it. 

The history of so old a New England town, and the memories be- 
longing to one of such honorable distinction as Taunton, make the 
occasion one of great interest; and especially attractive to me, not only 
from pleasant relations to some of your citizens in days gone by, but 
from the pleasure I should expect in hearing my valued friend, Judge 



THE BANQUET. l6l 

Bennett, who is, as I am informed, to deliver the historical address — 
and in witnessing the jrrowth and )n-osperity which have marked the 
advance of the beautiful town into the thriving city. 

With my best wishes for the success of your celebration. 

I am. Gentlemen, very respectfully your obliged friend, 

K. K. HOAU. 

(Letterffiom .lolin Wilson Smith, Esq.) 

Providence, May 17, 18Sii. 
To the Cniinnittee ou TnvitKtiou.s, Rev. S. Hopkins Erm-ry, St'creUirih Taun- 
ton, Mans. 
Gentlemen: — It is with great pleasure I acknowledge the receipt of 
your kind invitation to attend the celebration, on the 4th and 5th of 
June pioximo, of the 250th Anniversary of the founding of Taunton, 
but regret that I shall be unable to give myself the gratification of ac- 
cepting it. 

It would be an especial satisfaction to be present on the interesting- 
occasion, for ou my paternal side T trace my ancestry from John Smith 
Sen'r. one of the proprietors of Taunton in 1639, — died 1691, — who mar- 
ried Jael Packer, — to John Jr. — married Mary Godfrey, — to Job, — mar- 
lied Hannah Barney, grand daughter of Rev. Samuel Danforth, Jun'r,— 
to John Wilson,— married Susanna Tillinghast,— to William Henry, my 
father, — married Mary Chaplin Avery. 

Sincerely thanking you for including me among your invited guests. 
I am very respectfully, your obd't serv't, 

John Wii-son Smith. 

(Letter from Cli:u)es W. Thrasher, Esq.) 

Springfield, Mo., May 28, 1889. 
Me.ssr.'i. BiclKird Ilfury Hull, Sdmucl Hnpkin.'t Emenj, John WWUimii Dean 
Hall, WiUinm Eddy Fuller, Henry Morion Loterimi. Gf;orr/e Al- 
bert Wa.'ihlmrn, Committee on Invitofions. 

Gentlemen: — Please accept my sincere thanks for your kind and 
cordial invitation, to be present on the 5th of June next at the Celebra- 
tion of the "iSOth Anniversary of the founding of Taunton. It would af- 
ford me much pleasure to be present on the occasion mentioned, but 
business engagements render it impossible. I shall never forget your 
beautiful and grand Old City, and the many kind friends I left there. 
The anniversary of the founding of a town in the state of Massachusetts, 
liaving an existence of two and one half centuries, could not be other- 
wise than interesting. The history of the old towns of Massachusetts 
most conspicuously illustrates the influences and traits of character, 
which have made America the wonder and admiration of the world. One 
who has never lived in the great west can hardly understand or appreci- 
ate the vast and beneficent influence of New England and her stern I'uri- 
tanical institutions and principles, in molding the development and 
civilization of this entire Continent. I am assured that your Celebra- 
tion will not only prove a success, but will also be unusually interesting; 
and I much regret that I am unable to share with you its pleasures and 
benefits. 



l62 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

With my best wishes for the grand old city of Taunton, and its good 
people, and for its and their futiire prosperity, I am 
Kespertfvdly yours, 

Chakles W. Thkashf.r. 
(Letter from r;por<ie A. ("rocker, Esq.) 

New Yokk, May 1(», isSi). 
My Deak Ml!. Emkky: — I am in re.ceipt of the very pleasant invita- 
tion to be present in the City of Taunton on the 5th of .lune. and am 
much gratified at being thus remembered. It would certaiidy give me 
great pleasure to attend the interesting ceremonies, but I can see now 
that it will be impossible for me to do .so. I am sorry to be deprived of 
so pleasant an experience as this celebration in Taunton, for though it is 
many years since I left the good old place, I still cherish the fondest 
recollections of all the associations of my early life there. With cordial 
regards for yourself and the other gentlemen of your committee, believe 
me, Very sincerely yours, 

Geo. a. Orockek. 

(Letter from Ex-Gov. .Joseph H. Williams of Maine.) 

Augusta, Maine, May 22, 1889. 
CtENTLEmen: — I have the honoi' to acknowledge the receipt of your 
invitation to visit Taunton on the 4th and i'tth of June next, as a guest 
of that city, and to participate in the ceremonies of the occasion, 
which you intend to make a most attractive memorial of the early 
Fathers. 

I would gladly avail myself of the generous hospitality of your city 
to pay the humble tribute of my presence, at least, at the time and place 
appointed to manifest our pious interest in the early period before 
Cohannet became Taunton — but the state of my health will not permit 
me to take a journey at this time, and to undergo the fatigue incident to 
a full appreciation and enjoyment of the celebration you have in view. 
Permit me to add that I shall regret my absence from your festi 
vities the more because, within a few weeks. I have received from Eng- 
land some interesting items of intelligence about my ancestor Richard 
Williams, prior to his emigration; and if I could be present, and were 
to be called upon to say a word or two, at some suitable stage of your 
proceedings, I am quite sure the authentic facts I have learned would 
impart a grateful flavor to whatever I might feel moved to say concern- 
ing Deacon Richard and his well born wife — Frances Dighton. 

But, I pray you to have me excused; and trusting that all propitious 
influences will attend your 250th anniversary, 
I am very gratefully yours, 

Joseph II. Williams. 
Rev. Samuel U 01 ikinf Emer;/, rtc, of the Commiffee on IiiritntiiniH, Taun- 
ton, Mass. 

Mr. Williams, on being applied to, since the anniversai}-, 
for copies of any official certificates in his possession, show- 
ing new facts concerning Richard Williams, has done us the 
favor of transmitting the following:^ 



The banquet. 163 



ICx tract from Biglands City of Gloucester, (Eug.) page 184. In.«icriptions in St. Nich- 
olas Church.) 

"Here lies iuteiied the bodies of John Deighton of this city, gent., 
and Jane, his wife, daugliter to Edward Basset of Uley, Eng., by whom 
he had issue three sons and four daughters. He spent all his time in the 
study of chirurgery and attained to great knowledge therein. 

He died 10 May ir,(40)— and she the 23 April 1(581.— " 

II. 

iHaptisui of Frances Dighton, in Church of St. Nicholas, Gloucester.) 
"Anno dmi 1611. 
•'The first of March was baptized Frances the daughter of John 
Dighton. " 

I liereby certify that the above is a true copy of the Register of Bap- 
tisms of the Church of St. Nicholas, Gloucester, extracted this four- 
teentli day of December, 1888, — by me, 

(Signed) John J. Luce, Vicar. 

III. 

(Marriages.) 

" Richard Williams of the parishe of St. Johns in Glouc'r and Fran- 
ces Deighton of the parishe of St. Nicholas in Glouc'r aforesayd were 
marryed the Xlth daye of February at Witcombe Magna by Mr. Stubbs 
{t)eacher 1632. " 



"John Lloyd, Minister. 

Thomas Baylis, > <-,, , , 

Richard PACKEk, ( ^^^"''^1' wardens. 

[Witcombe Magna is about fiye miles (easterly) from city of Gloucester. ] 
•'I certify the above to be a coi-rect extract from the Transcript of 
the Register of the parish of Great Witcombe for the year 1632 now in 
my lawful keeping. '' 

(Signed; 
B. Bonner, N. P., Registrar of the Diocese of Gloucester and Bris- 
tol at Gloucester. 

IV. 

St. Nichola.s Vicarage, Gloucester. "Mr. Thomas, has discovered these two baptis- 
mal entries.) 

" 1634 March 27, John, son of Richard Williams. " — 
•'163") February 7, Elizabeth, daughter of Richard Williams." — 
Yours very truly, 
(Signed) J. J. Luce''' 

IS, 12. '88. 

Copy of a Post Card addressed to Conway Dighton, Esq., St. Julius, 
Cheltenham. 

[The Civil year began March 25th.] 



164 OITARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

The Hon. James Savao;e, once Pre.sident of the Mass. 
Historical Society, in Vol, 4 of his Genealogical Dictionary, 
p. 565, quoting- from Emery's ministry of Taunton, Vol. i 
p. 44 — what is there stated concerning the Richard Williams 
family, observes : " I greatly distrust the tradition of his very 
early coming to our country and more the Gloucestershire 
wife. " We are glad to be assured that the correspondence 
of Gov. Williams, now published, removes all ground for 
"distrust" concerning either the marriage or the early com- 
ing to this country. 

Frances Dighton, the wife of Richard W'illiams, was the 
daughter of Jane Bassett, the daughter of Edward Bassett, 
whose lineage appears to run back to the first Lord Berkeley. 
Hence the expression "well born" is not misapplied to her. 
Seethe "Visitation of (iloucestershire, 1623 " and printed 
in Vol. 21, l^d^lications of Harleian Society, 1885. 

I Lettfr fioiii Artlmi- Kinghikf, Ks(j.) 
Haines Hii.l, Taunton. England, May, 21, 1889. 

My Deak Sik:— Many thanks for your kind invitation to join in the 
approaching anniversary of the founding of the city of Taunton which 
would have given me great pleasure to have accepted, but as you are 
aware, I am no longer young and am not free from the infirmities of 
old age. You have extended your hospitalities not only to me but like- 
wise to some of the citizens of our town, and I am not without a hope 
that a representative of old Taunton may be enabled to be present at 
the forthcoming ceremony. It is cheering to me and my friends to find 
that you have not forgotten us, and be assured that we thoroughly ap- 
preciate youi' friendship. 1 t)ften reflect on the spirit and enterprise 
and civilizing influences of your great Republic. We in Taunton have 
not forgotten the extreme delight which we experienced some few years 
since by the visit of your distinguished Statesman and Author. Mr. 
Lowell, who delivered in our Shire Hall in Taunton, a splendid addiess 
on the life and character of the ''father of the English novel," Henry 
Fielding, one of the worthies of Somersetshire. 

The name of General Washington is not forgotten in Somerset to 
this day. When the unhappy war between this country and America 
took place, Lady Harriet A eland in a truly heroic spirit .'^ouoht to .ac- 
company her husband Colonel Acland on the Battle Field and this re- 
quest was courteously granted by the illustrious Commandci-. 

With best compliments to Mr. Lovering and his family, 
I remain with much esteem and regard yours very sincerely, 

Artiiuk Kingi,ake, 
Justice of the Peace for the T'ounty of Somer.set. 



rilE liANOUET. 165 

iLotUT In.in .)..lm .MmisIkiII, Ks.].) 

Bklmont, Tai'Nton. ENtiLANi), jNIay S, hS!sy. 
Di.Ai; Sii;; — 1 1)(^ to thank you and your committee tor your kind 
iiivit;ili(>n to lie present when you celebrate the 25()th Anniversary of the 
toundinj;- of Taunton, Mass. 

1 legret I am not able to accept it; my hcaltli is very feeble, and 1 
am (|iiite unable to leave my home. 

I am yours faithfully. 

The Ucr. S. Ih>l)lnns Kliicvy. JoUN MARSHALL. 

(Letter from Edwin Sloper, Es<i.) 

Taunton, Old E.vgland, May 7, 188'.». 
Gentlemen: — Very many thanks for the cordial invitation to the 
City of Taunton to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding;- of 
our sister town. Unfortunately my time is so occupied that I am pre- 
cluded from acceptinj? this kindly and well meant desire. Had I been 
able to participate in your welcome gathering it was my intention to 
read a short paper on •'Old Taunton" and how a tribe of incoming 
.Saxons settled in the Dean and made it their home in the seventh cen- 
tury. I think I should also have been capable of nearly proving that 
Street gave the name to your town. 

Trusting that everything will pass off in the most satisfactory nnui- 
ner and sharing in your views and the delights which you anticipate, 
Believe me yours very truly. 

Edwin Slopeh. 
TIk Ciimmillci' on Iniufiitioii. -^oMIi An idrrrsdry. Tnuntdii, J/a.s.s. 

(Letter Ir.Mii Willrcil Marsluill, Kf-q. 1 

The Elm. Taunto.n, Engl.\ni>. May 2o, 188U. 

Dkai; Sii;:— Having just returned home after a few weeks visit to 
Hi.' m>uMi of Fiance, 1 find awaiting me your kind invitation to 
take pait in the ceieiuonies attending the (Celebration of the 250th An- 
niversary of the founding of your town. 

1 am mucli gratified that you should have been pleased to ask me to 
be |)resent on such an auspicious occasion. It is with infinite regret 1 
liii<i myself unable to avail myself of this opportunity of revisiting 
your city, and renewing, under such pleasant auspices, my acquaintance 
wirii those of your fellow citizens whose hospitality and welcome ex- 
tended to me in the years '78, '79 and '88, I shall always bear in grateful 
remembrance. 

I am. dear sir. yours very faithfully, 
licr. S. Uopltins Kiiifi-i/. WlLFKEI) MARSHALL. 

(Letter troiii Tlionias M. llawlvins, Escj.) 
<)7 High Street. Taunton, England, May* 18, 188'.). 
Dkai; Sh;:— .\s a member of the Tairnton Town Council this side of 
llic water, permit me to heartily thank you and your committee for the 
kind and cordial invitation to participate in the celebration of the 250th 
.\nnivcrsary t)r the foiuiding of our namesake your side of the water.. 
Could I spare the time and needful, 1 do not know any thing that would 
give me greater ])leasiirc than to be with you 011 June 4 and 5, but un- 



1 66 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

fortunately these two obstacles cannot be overcome, so I can only t)c with 
you in spirit on those days. I trust you may have a very successful cel- 
ebration and your city go on and prosper as in the past. 

Although our Taunton is so much older than yours yet you have 
become a city while we still remain as far as name in statu quo, but our 
population is increasing, our boundaries expanding, and things generally 
looking up. 

Will it be troubling you to send me a newspaper containing a report 
of your proceedings on the 4th and 5tli proximo? If so please take no 
notice of this request, as I know you will be very busy, but I shall be 
glad to hear of your goings on. Now, sir, please again accept my thanks 
and best wishes, and believe me. 

Yours faithfully. 
The Eir. S. Hopkins Emery. Thomas M. Haavklns. 

To the Mayor and Corporation of the ancient town of 
Taunton, England, a.s to all the invited guests of the city, 
was sent the following form of invitation : 

1639. City Seal. i.SScj. 

The honor of your presence is respectfully desired on 
Tuesday and Wednesday, the 4th and 5th of June of this 
year, at the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the found- 
ing of Taunton. 

You are cordially invited, as a guest of the city, to par- 
ticipate in the ceremonies of the occasion. 

Richard Henry Hall, 

Samuel Hopkins Emery, John Williams Dean Hall, 

William Eddy Fuller, Henry Morton Lovering, 

George Albert Washbltrn, 

Committee on Invitations. 

This form of Invitation, sent to each member of the 
Corporation of Taunton, P>ngland, was supplemented as fol- 
lows : 

To his Honor, the Mai/orof flic Horitwih of Tiinntmi, Snmfrscfshirc, Enij- 
land: 
Dear Sih:— We learn from the Charter of your municipality con- 
tained in the valuable volume so kindly sent to the city of Taunton, New 
England, by your Body in 1884, that your municipal government is coin- 
posed of tlie Mayor, six Aldermen aqd eighteen Councilors, 



THE BANQUET. 167 

\V(< tlierpioic sciid a i>;icka<;t' of five and twenty cards of invitation to 
our iMoposed cclchiation. wiiich we will thank yon to direct to such 
P'MSous as are associated with you in the Government of the Borouj^h. 
Will you assure them, all and each, of the heartiness with which we. 
representing- tiie New En<;land daughter, send her greeting across the 
water, to the ancient town in the mother hxnd, whence she derived her 
name. Hoping to welcome you to this our (juarter millennial festival. 
We remain very sincerely yours, 

Richard Henhy Hall, Mayor. 
Chairman of Committee on Invitations. 
Sam'l Ilorivixs EiMEUY, Sec. of Com. 

Taunton, Mass., U. S. A., 24th April, 1881t. 

The reply to the above, bearing date the i6th of May 
was received in time to be read at the Banquet. See pages 
I I o- 1 I I . 

A later communication, dated the 23d of May, was, as 
follows : 

I Letter troiii Hon. Henry J. .^jpiller.) 

Taunton, England, May '23, 1S8U 

Deau Mi:. Mavoii: — By this post I have sent you the address of 
ccmgratulation from our Town, to the citizens of her daughter Town in 
the New World, on the occasion of the celebration of the 250th anniver- 
sary of the founding of your Town. 

We are having an oak frame made for the address which I hope to 
forward in a few days, and it will be interesting for you to know it will 
lie made of old Engiish oak taken from the old St. Mary's Tower, which 
was pulled down more than t lirty years ago. 

A view of the new town, the design of which is a copy of the old. is 
shown in the address, also a view of our old Castle, which is now used 
as a museum. 

I am sorry myself or any member of oui' corporation will be unable 
to be present with you. but I trust your Celebration will be successful 
in (!very way. 

With kind regards, and best wishes, I remain, dear Mr. Mayor, 
Yours faithfully, 

Henky J. Spilleu, Mayor of Taunton, England. 
/'-, his Ifnnnr The Mnyur, Clin 0/ Tiiunton, .Unssuc/nisetfs, U. S. A., 

The "address of congratulation," to which the mayor 
refers in his letter arrived in good time, followed by its "oak 
fi-ame, " and the\- ha\'e been the admiration of all who have 
seen them, ever since. 'I'he text of the address is as follows: 

V'o tl,<- Mm/or. Ahlvnurn, Cnuir.illorx, and (Jlliims „f the. City nf Tinm- 
fnn, Masxarhn.^rlls. U. S. A. 
We, the Mayor, Aldermen, and Burg(;sses of the Borough of Taun- 
ton, in England, desiie to offer you our heartfelt congratulations upon 



l68 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

the celebration of the 250tli Anniversary of the foiuuliny of yonr town. 
As the governing body of the Mother Town from whence your city 
sprang, we regard with affection the memory of her enterprising sons 
aud daughters, who carried with them to distant lands beyond the seas 
the name and traditions of the birth-place of themselves and their ances- 
tors. Althovigh unable to be present and paiticipate in the ceremonies 
with which this auspicious occasion will be celebrated, we can assure 
you that the ties of kindred and tongue which bind your mighty Nation 
to the mother Country are still further strengthened by the remem- 
brance that there exists on the other side of the Atlantic a city worthy of 
handing down to posterity the name of Taunton, which is endeared to 
us by the recollection of its historic past, the contemplation of its pros- 
perous present, and the promise of a still brighter future. We sincerely 
trust that the Trade and Commerce of your City may grow and flourish, 
and that the enterprise of its Citizens may increase in prestige and im- 
portance, so that succeeding generations may inherit wealth and ])ros- 
perity, and enjoy the blessings of health and happiness. 

Given under the Common Seal of said Borough, this 21st day of 
May, 1889. 

Henky J. Spillek, Mayor. 
Tiios. Mkylkj;, Town Clerk. 

The Reply of Hon. R. H. Hall, Mayor, to the letter of 
Congratulation was as follows : 

Mayor's Office, City of Taunton, Mass., June Stii, isss). 
Dear Mr. Mayor. — Your esteemed favor of the 2:Jd ult. came duly 
to hand, and on the evening of June 4tli I received the addiess of 
congratulation from the mother town of Taunton to her namesake in the 
New World. My Dear Mayor, on behalf of our citizens, I desire to ex- 
tend to the ancient town of Taunton our grateful appreciation of this 
expression of regard so beautifully embellished in this testimonial. Our 
hearts have been filled with deep emotion as we read the sentiments ad- 
vanced therein, and we trust that the ties which bind us together may be 
cemented more closely by this interchange of congratulations, and that 
we may for ever remain one in sympathy and good will as we are one in 
name. Our City Council will take early official action on this recogni- 
tion and acceptance, which I will forward to you in due time Our cel- 
ebration has been a great success, far exceeding anything within the 
former history of the municipality. I forward to your address copies of 
our city newspapers, giving a detailed account, also some souvenirs of 
the interesting event. With kind regards, I remain, sincerely yours. 

Richard Henry Haul, 

Mixyov. 
To [lis Honor, Thf M((!/nr „/ Titan dni, Snnwr.srl.s/un-, KnuUiniJ . 

The "oak frame" was accompanied with a letter as fol- 
lows : 

Taunton, EN(iLANi», No v'li 8th, 188U. 

Dear Mr. May^o;;: — 1 have at last sent you the long promised oak 

frame for the Congratulatory address sent by our Corporation. I trust 

it will arrive safely and tliat you will be able to lind a place for it in your 



THE BANQUET. 169 

Mmiiii]);!! Biiihlinji-.s. Tlic carviiifrs in tlif iii)per coiuer.s iL>i>i('sent, old 
Eiioland to America, and the lower ones, old Tannton to lu'w Taunton. 

My year ot otiice e.xpiies to-moi row and I have taken tlu' liberty of 
enclosinfj one of my photos and ask your acceptance of the same as a 
small memento of my year of office, and should be pleased to receive 
one of yours. If you send it please direct it to me at 31 Bridge Street, 
Taunton. 

Wishino- you and your people every happiness and prospeiity, I am. 
dear Mr. Mayor, 

Yours sincerely, 

Henry James Spilleu, 
li. H. Hall, Esq. Mayor of Taunton. 

To Mayor Spiller's letter of the 8th of Nov., Mayor Hall 
replied as follows, at the same time sending the reply of the 
City Government to the "Address of Congratulation" from 
Taunton, England. 

Mayor's Office, City of Taunton, Mass., U. S. A., N^ov. 80th, issu. 

Dear Mk. Mayor: — Your esteemed favor of the 8th inst. came duly 
to hand, and the frame which you have forwarded, I dare say will reach 
us in due time. I have shipped to-day by European Express Co., our re- 
ply to the conojratulatory address which was unanimously adopted by 
oui- City Council. The border around this reply is a design derived from 
the Trailing Arbutus, a flower which is said to be indigenous to New 
England. The .small sketch at the top. in the border, is a scene repre- 
senting the arrival of the Mayflower, in Plymouth Harbor. The small 
sketch at the bottom, in the border, is a view on Taunton river. The 
dates on each side of the border viz: 1();39 and 18S9 represent our 250 
years of settlement. The sketch at the top undei- the border is a view 
on Taunton Green looking towards the Court House. On one side of 
the sketch you will find the Massachusetts Coat of Arms, and on the 
other the American. Enclo.sed within the large initial i.s a sketch of our 
City Hall. 

The face of the frame which encloses the reply was made from a 
jjiece of timber taken from the wreck of the .ship iSparrowhawk, 
and was presented to the (Uty of Taunton by the Pilgrim Society of 
Plymouth. Mass. The back of the frame was made of American oak. 

The Sparrowhawk was a stanch little craft, built of oak. which 
sailed from England in 1(52() with passengers for the new world, and was 
wrecked off Orleans, Cape Cod. It was speedily covei-ed with sand, and 
remained covered until a few years since, when an unusually severe 
storm unearthed the old hulk. It was then removed and piesented to 
the Pilgrim Society, Plymouth, and has at last found a resting place in 
Pilgrim Hall, where it has been set up, and is now on exhibition. 

Trusting the above will reach you safely, and wishing you and the 
Horough of Taunton long continued prosperity. I remain, deai- Mr. 
Mayor. 

Yours sincerely, 

Kichabd Henry Hall. 
Mayor of Taunton, New England. 
'I'll llh Honor. Tlie Mdijor of Tunnton. Somn-^mttihire. Eniilond. 



170 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 



REPLY TO ADDKKSS OF C0N(;RATULA rR)\. 

The Mayar, Alderinni. a ml Coiintion Council of Tauiiltm in New Kinjhind. In 
the Mai/or, Aldennen, and Bwrj/f.s.sc.s of Taunton in Old Enylnnd. 

(tI.'KKTing: W^e have been deeply touched by the reception of your 
kind address of Congjratulation upon the celebiation of the 2r)()th anni- 
versary of the founding of our town, whicli happily arrived on the very 
day of its occurrence. We assure you that we fully reciprocate your 
kindly sentiments so pleasantly expressed, and we fondly cherish the 
memory of your ancient, brave, and loyal Borough, with its historic 
Castle, its beautiful church of St. Mary, and its charming river in that 
lovely vale of Taunton Dean. We wonder not that our fathers chose our 
name "'in honor and love to their dear and native country" and we con- 
uratulate ourselves that they brought with them from their own land 
those lofty and sterling principles of thought and action which have con- 
tributed so much to our prosi)erity, and secured for us the manifold 
blessings we now enjoy. May we never bring discredit on our ancient 
name, but rather lead our English mother to ever feel a just pride in her 
An)erican daughter, and may the bonds of love and amity between us. 
and between our respective countries grow stronger and stronger till 
time shall be no more. 

Given in our Council Chamber, this eighth day of August, A. D.. 18W>. 
RicHAHi) Hknky Hall, Mayor. 
ilu'LEY W. Tow.vsENi), Pres. of the Common Council. 

KnwiN A. TirrLow. City Clerk. 

■J'o this "Reply" from Taunton. New l^ni;lanci. the fol- 
lowing;- has been received: 

Tai NTON. Kng.. Fel>. ."■). lN!lt>. 

WoKsHii'FUi. Siu: — The package containing the fiamed address as 
iidvised, came .safely to hand and was officially handed to the Taunton 
town council at its last meeting, when Alderman Spiller read the corre- 
spondence addressed to him. On behalf of the c(»un(il I am desired io 
express to you and the members of the corporation of flic city of Taun- 
ton iiow much wc esteem your kind and beautifully framed address. It 
now hangs in a conspicuous pi>sition in our new council chamber and 1 
trust will be handed down to future generations as a proof of the good 
feeling existing between the coiporation of the city of Taunton, U. S. A.. 
and the town of Taunton, England. May your city still continue to 
prosper in every sense of the word and may the l)ond of friendship be- 
tween old England and your new and great country be strengthened as 
time rolls on! The writer has succeeded Alderman Spiller (one of the 
best mayors Taunton ever had) in the civic chair, and should you i>;iy a 
visit to "this country during my year of office I can promise you a hearty 
welcome to our dear old town. 

Believe me, deai- Mr. Mayor. 

Yours very faithfully, 

Gkokok Saindlus. .Ti;., .Mayor. 
To his woisliipfui, the mayor of Taunton, V. S. A. 

We close our account of the banquet with a flattering;- 
notice of the celebration from an issue of a newsj^aper ot the 



THE BANQUET. 17 1 

mother town, soon after, and we may add that letters have 
been received from man\'. who were present or who had read 
llu' account of our j^roceedinf^s, expressini;- in the warmest 
terms, their i;ratification at the success of the i;reat under- 
taking'. 

"TAUNTON's AMKRICAN DAlMJHrER." 

The above is the headiiiff of a column article in a recent issue of 
tlie Taunton, (England) Courier, desciiptive of our anniversary celebra- 
tion, the introduction to which is as follows: 

The ancient borough of Taunton, the county town of Somerset, can 
trace back its history for considerably more than a thousand years. 
Many and stirring are the events which have occurred in the garden 
town from the days when the Roman legions first occupied it as one of 
the dwelling places of the Britons. Since those times of remote antiqui- 
ty it has been the frontier fortress of the Saxons, when the Tone was 
made the border of Wessex; it was seized by Perkin Warbeck in his 
brief rebellion; Blake's heroic defence of it against the onslaughts of 
tiie Cavaliers is one of the most famous incidents of the wars of the com- 
monwealth, while the triumphal entry of the ill-fated Monmouth and 
the Bloody Assizes at which the infamous Jeffreys punished the Taun- 
tonians by hanging or transporting four hundred of them, forms one of 
the saddest pages of our national records. Though our American cous- 
ins in Massachusetts cannot boast that their city — which their ancestors. 
•' in honor and love to their dear and native country, '* named after the 
well remembered English home in the fair vale of Taunton Deane — lias 
played so prominent a part in history as its namesake, yet during the 
two hundred and fifty years of its existence it has done ranch of which 
it may well be proud. It has greatly outstripped the mother town in 
liopulation, its manufactures are important and increasing, and it has 
worthily followed the example of old Taunton in its struggles foi' liberty, 
and in that enterprise and desire to l>enefit by human progress and dis- 
covery which has ever been the characteristic both of the mother and 
tlie daughter. 

.After quoting e.xtensively from judi;e Bennett's ackh'ess 

and citing some of the important matters connected with the 

celebration, the Courier closes with saying: 

(111 the whole, the inhabitants of Taunton, Mass., are to be congrata- 
latcd on the highly satisfactory way in which they have celebrated tlieir 
anniversary, and on the thriving position in which their industry has 



172 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

lihiccd their city. One of the most pleasiu};- features of tiie affair, and 
an instance of liearty oood-vvill wiiich exists hetvveen the UKitlier and 
danf>hter town.s, was" tlie cordial invitations sent over to tlie Taunton 
Town Council to send representatives to tlie celebration. The mayor, 
(Alderman Spiller's) letter in reply was published in the Massachusetts 
newspapers, but it seems as if the address did not reach its destination 
in time. Our American cousins are rather at fault when, in referring? to 
the old familiar names being <i;iven to Xew Kuj^land towns, they say 
" Kehoboth is in Somerset, not far from Taunton. '' This name appears 
to have a Scriptural derivation. 



RECEPTION AND BALL. 



City Hall was brilliantly illuminated and beautifully 
decorated with flags and mottoes in honor of our visitors 
from abroad. The reception committee and others of our 
citizens were present to meet our invited guests. Reeves' 
Hand was in attendance and added to the pleasure of the 
occasion by their fine selections. After an hour or two of 
pleasant intercourse the ball committee from the adjoining- 
hall appeared and announced that the time had arrived for 
the commencement of the festivities there. Thereupon this 
informal but very enjoyable j^art of the day's observances 
came to a close. 

The programme of Tuesday closed with a Promenade 
Concert and Ball held in Armory Hall immediately after the 
close of the Public Reception at the City Hall, and was in 
charge of the following committee: — 

Frederick Ma.sox, Chairman, 

Joseph R. Tall.max. Secretary, 

Ripley W. Town.sexd. 

Edwin A. Tetlow, 

John H. Galligax, 

James C. Sproat, 

Charles P. F'oster, 

Alfred B. Sproat. 



174 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

The assij^nments of sub-committees were as follows : — 

On Reception of Lnited Guests. 
Frf.dkrick Mason, James C. Sprcxak. John H. Gai.i.ioan 

On Hall Arratigejnents. 
Edwin A. Tetlow. Ripley \^■. Townsend 

On Refreshments. 
Frederick Mason. Joseph R. Tallman. James C. Sproat 

On Ball JVogramnie. 
Alfred B. Sproat, John H. Galligan 

On Decorations. 
Ripley W. Townsend, Charles P. Foster 

Floor Director. 
Frederick Mason. 

Aids. 
Ripley W. Townsend. Joseph R. Tallman.^ 

Edwin A. Tetlow, John H. Galligan, 

James C. Sproat, Charles P. Foster, 

Alfred B. Sproai. A. Clrve[.and Bent. 

Robert C. Brown. 

The Hall was beautifully decorated with streamers, 
flags and lace draperies, the front of the stage being filled 
with a terrace of plants and tiowers behind which Reeves' 
full orchestra was stationed. The invited guests were es- 
corted from the Reception at the City Hall by the reception 
committee, and upon theii- arrival the Ball was opened by a 
Grand March led by His Honor Mayor Hall and Lady, fol- 



RECEPTION AND BALI.. 1 75 

lowed by more than two hundred couples amon.y,- whom were 
many of our most prominent citizens who had for years been 
absent from -atherinj^s of this character, but who on this 
occasion united with the youn-er element in doin-' honor to 
our celebration. The electric liohts shinino- throu<;h the 
many hued^^auze canopy brino-jng out the rich coloring- of the 
varied decorations and reflected from the glittering; emblems 
and devices with which the walls were hung, the insj^iring 
strains of the music and the elegant toilets of the ladies all 
combined to make the scene one long to be remembered, anil 
when the festivities ended, at a late hour, it brought to a close 
one of the most successful features of the celebration. 



SECOND DAY OF THE CELEBRATION. 

The Grand Procession. 



The great feature of the second clay's observances was 
the Grand Procession 

Much apprehension was felt in the morning- lest the 
weather should pro\'e unfavorable. Put the threatening as- 
])ect of the clouds soon vanished and the day proved all that 
could have been desired. 

Under the efficient management and control of the Chief 
Marsha! every detail of the vast parade had been determined, 
and so complete were the arrangements, and so faithfully 
were they carried out by his Aids and the Assisant Marshals 
and Aids of the different divisions, that the procession moved 
promptly at eleven o'clock, the appointed time. The streets 
were packed with spectators, and every window, balcony and 
piazza was crowded with citizens or guests who heartily 
cheered the numerous beautiful floats, tableaux and trade 
representations. The decorations displayed were by far the 
most extensive, artistic and elaborate the city had ever seen. 
On the route of the procession the decorations were of course 
the most general and profuse, but many even of the dwell- 
ings and other buildings not so favored were gaily decked 
out in holiday attire. The City Hall, county and district 
coiu-t houses, registry buildings, public library and police 
station were artistically draped and festooned in handsome 



THE GRAND PROCESSION. 177 

(Icsij^ns. The City Hotel was one of the first buildings to 
be decorated, and was surely one of the finest. 

An arch of fine proportions spanned Main street near 
City Square, gracefully decorated with evergreens and flags, 
and bearing on its eastern face the legend — 

"'39. 250th Anniversary of Taunton. '89," 
and on its western face the legend — 

"'39. Sons and Daughters Welcome Home. '89." 

On the westerly side of the Common raised seats were 
provided, and there during the parade were assembled three 
hundred boys and girls of the grammar schools under the 
charge of Mr. Fred. W. Howes, the music teacher. They 
greeted the procession as it passed with patriotic songs, 
fluttering handkerchiefs, clapping hands and enthusiastic 
cheers. Nothing on the route of the procession was so thrill- 
ing and beautiful. The eyes of many glistened with tears 
while their faces beamed with smiles, as they passed this 
blooming array of the coming generation. 

No mere enumeration of the varied representations of 
our arts, industries, manufactures and trades, which so largely 
constituted the attractive features of the procession, can give 
an adequate idea of the fulness, completeness and magnifi- 
cence of the display as a whole. Never before did our own 
citizens behold such a demonstration of our broadly diversi- 
fied industries, and of the degree of excellence attained in 
them. For one day we could well afford to be proud of our 
progress and attainments. 

The towns of Norton, Dighton, Raynham and Berkley, 
daughters of Ancient Taunton, added features of great his- 
toric interest to the parade by their fine displays. Much 
labor and thought had evidently been bestowed upon the 
details of their representations by the town committees, for 
which they are deserving of very great credit. 



178 



QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 



The procession extended over a distance of four miles 
and was arranged in the following order. 

FORMATION OF PROCESSION. 

Four Mounted Police — Platoon of Police under command of City 

Marshal Francis L. Dow. American Band, Providence, 

D. W. Reeves, Leader. 

Chief Marshal, HENRY M. LOVERING. 

STAFF. 

Chief of Staff, Lieut.-Col. Alfred B. Hodges. 



William H. Bent, 
F. L. Fish, 
F. S. Babbitt, 
George H. Talbot, 
Giles L. Leach, 
George F. Howard, 
John C. Sharp, Jr., 
George 0. Morse, 
Fred. S. Hall, 
Joseph S. Tidd, 
C. B. Gardiner, 
Frederick Thayer, 



N. H. Skinner, 
Edward B. Maltby, 
Edward Mott, 
Joseph A. Bullaid, 
John W. Rogers, 
Horace W. Durgin, 
H. Frank Reed, 
Edward F. Galligan, 
H. P. Copeland, 
William C. Davenport, 
W. J. Clemson, 
George F. Chace, 

FIRST DIVISION. 



Silas D. Presbrey, 
William R. Billings, 
Orville A. Barker, 
Oliver Ames, 2d, 
Arthur R. Sharp, 
Cyrus Savage, 
Edward Eovering, 
John J. Barker, 
Henry S. Hack, 
W. F. Kennedy. 
William M. Levering, 
William F. Palmer. 



Capt. Alden H. Blake, Assistant Marshal. 

AIDS. 

Col. Elisha Doane, Capt. Geo. A. King, Lieut. Chas. F. Park, 

F. Arthur Walker, Edward King, John C. Macdonald. 

Company F, ist Regt. Infantry, M. V. M. 

Taunton High School Cadets. 

CARRIAGES, 

Containing His Excellency Oliver Ames, Governor of Massachu- 
setts, and Staff; His Honor, R. Henry Hall, Mayor of the City of 
Taunton, President of the day; Hon. Marcus Morton, Chief Jus- 
tice of the Supreme Court of Mass.; His Honor the Lieut. -Gov- 
ernor and members of the Executive Council: Invited Guests; the 




TABLEAU VIVANT. 

DiglUon Rock, First Approach of Civilization. 




^:;^^S^>^^^ 



TABLEAU VIVANT. 
Cohannet, the Land of Snow. 



No. 


I. 


No. 


2 


No. 


3- 


No. 


4- 


No. 


5- 


No. 


6. 


No. 


7- 



THE GRAND PROCESSION. 1/9 

Orator, Poet, and Toastmaster of the clay; Members of Congress; 
Members of the Massachusetts Senate and House of Representa- 
tives ; Members of the City Government ; Veterans of Co. G, 4th 
Regt. M. V. M., (3 mos.,) and distinguished citizens. 

HISTORICAL TABLEAUX. 

DiGHTON Rock, the First Approach of Civilization. 

CoHANNET, the Land of Snow. 

Elizabeth Pole, " Dux Femina Facti. " 

The Capture of Anawan. 

The Leonard House. 

The Puritan Parson, a Leader of his People. 

Jesse Smith and his well-known Stage Coach. 

SECOND DIVISION. 
H. A. Cushman, Assistant Marshal. 



Charles B. Hathaway, John C. Chace, Frank R. Washburn, 

Henry A. Pratt. 
Representations from towns which once formed a part of Taunton. 

NORTON, incorporated 1711. 

Represented by the Crescent Drum and Fife corps, sixteen men. 

E. R. Lincoln, six-horse team representing heavy teaming, 
with banner bearing the legend, "Norton 17 11 — 1889. " 

Geo. H. Talbot, four-horse team with large load of combed 
wool, representing wool scouring. 

A. H. Sweet, two two-horse teams and two one-horse teams 
with wood and paper boxes, representing wood and paper box 
manufacturing. 

A. G. Pierce, one two-horse team with cases, representing 
cotton yarn manufacturing, 

J. S. Wood, two two-horse teams, representing agricultural im- 
plements, wood and Coal. 



l80 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

niflHTON, INCORPORATED 1712. 

Represented by carriage with national flag bearing the inscription. 
Dighton, 1672, — 17 12, — 1889. 

Grand Army veterans in two carriages. 

Committee of the town in carriage. 

L. Lincohi & Co., paper manufacturers, carriage with raw ma- 
terial, carriage with manufactured articles. 

E. Almy, loaded wagon representing grocery trade. 

School Children in two barges and carriage. 

C. S. Chace, florist, carriage with display of plants in bloom. 

J. A. Lewis, carriage with nursery stock and flowers. 

Dighton Fruit Growers Association in six carriages. 

C. N. Simmons, boat mounted on wheels with seine and li.x- 
tures, representing the herring fishery. 

BERKLEY, INCORPORATED I 735. 

This part of the Division formed at Burt's corner, in Berkley, and 

marched to Taunton in the following order, where it joined 

the rest of the Division. 

Marshal, Giles L. Leach. 

AIDS. 

Thomas P. Paull, Jesse P. Leach. 

Cavalcade of fifty horsemen in uniform, the horses handsomely 
caparisoned, with colors inscribed. 

"Berkley, 1735 — 1889." 

Captain, Rollin H. Babbitt, ist Lieut.. Charles French. 

2d Lieut., Thomas F. Burt, 3d Lieut., Adelbert Stunt'. 

Color-bearer, James F. Clark. 

School Children and Teachers in two barges. 

The Berkley Gleaner, carriage with editor and reporters. 

Eight milk wagons, four butcher carts, representing the milk 
and meat interests. 

C. D. Babbitt, florist, carriage with display of plants and 
flowers. 



THE GRAND PROCESSION. l8l 

THIRD DIVISION. 

'I"hi.s entire Division was furnished by the town of Raynhani, once 
a part of Taunton. 

KAVNHAM, INCORPORATED 1 73 1. 

The following Committee of the Town had charge of the di.s- 
play, which was exceedingly fine. 

Jesse King, Charles B. Gardiner, Soranus W. Hall, 

Charles H. Lewis, Charles T. Robinson, Edward F. Leonard. 
Nathan W. Shaw, Alexis C. Dean, Joseph R. Presho, 

Edward B. Wilbur, Damon D. White, Elwyn S. Harlow, 

David G. Dean, Cyrus Leonard, 2d, Edward B. King, 
Sidney K. B. Perkins. 

The Division formed at Raynham Centre, and marched to 
Taunton, where it joined the procession. 

Order of Division. 

The Middleboro' Brass Band. 

Capt. Chas. T. Robinson, Assistant Marshal. 

AIDS. 

Soranus VV. Hall, Edward B. Wilbur, Elwyn S. Harlow, 

Cyrus Leonard, 2d, Henry H. Robinson. 

Barge containing the Town Officers. 

Cavalry Co. A, Capt. B. B. Cain. 

Cavalry Co. B, Capt. Frank Williams. 

Floats drawn by oxen, carrying paintings of the old Anchor 
Forge, the old Meeting House, the Fowling Pond, the ancient 
Leonard House, the Washburn House, also a team carrying a 
model Anchor, marked 5,500 pounds, representing the business 
once extensively carried on at the Anchor Forge. 

Team carrying "Old Tobey, " a cannon used in the Revolu- 
tionary War, now owned by the Tobias Gilmore families, at North 
Raynham. 

Children of the public schools in four barges. 

D. 1). White & Co., Hoat, with men and women at work, illus- 
trating the process of manufacturing shoes. 



l82 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

G. B. & E. Williams, float, illustrating the Herring Fishery. 

The Milk Business was represented by the teams of Dean 
Bros., Geo. F. Fletcher, Jos. H. Gregory, Jesse King, Job G. Rob- 
inson, Mervin W. Leonard. 

Nathan W. Shaw, Barge, representing some of the branches of 
Market Gardening. 

Bradford D. Snow, Team containing curious ancient articles, 
very useful in olden times, now but seldom seen. 

M. B. Leonard, load of sawdust, a product of the saw mills 
much in demand. 

Thirteen yoke of large Oxen were a noticeable feature in this 
display. 

FOURTH DIVISION. 

Spary's Military Band, W. C. Spary, Leader. 

Abner Coleman, Assistant Marshal. 

AIDS. 

Benjamin H. Baker, Jerome B. Mason, Albert L. Carpenter. 

FIRE DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY OF TAUNTON. 

Rescue Hook and Ladder Co. No. i.; Captain D. L. Brownell. 
Steam Fire Engine Co. Niagara No. i.; Captain A. F. Sprague. 
Steam Fire Engine Co. Edward Mott No. 2.; Captain T. C. Lucas. 

Hose Co. No. 3. ; Captain William H. Cushman. 

Fire Engine Co. Charles Albro No. 4 ; Captain H. J. Kingsley. 

Hose Co. No. 5, Captain T. W. Porter. 

Hose Co. No. 6, Captain E. Francis. 

Hose Co. No. 8, Captain E. Mallon. 

Veteran Firemen, under command of Ex-Chief Edward Mott. 

Old engines " Oregon, " " Elizabeth Poole, " " Hancock. " 

APPARATUS. 

Hook and Ladder No. i, Engine No i, Hose No. i. Engine No. 2, 

Hose No. 2, Hose No. 3, Engine No. 4, Hose No. 4, 

Hose No. 5,*Supply wagon. 




TABLEAU VIVANT. 
Elizabeth Poole Making her Purchase, as represented on the City Seal 




TABLEAU VIVANT. 

Capt. Church at Anawan's Rock. 



THE GRAND PRdCESSION. 183 

FIFTH DIVISION. 
Captain Z. Sherman, Assistant Marshal. 



Henry D. White, George F. Seaver J. Edward Seaver, 

Lewis B. Hodges. 

Post No. 3, Grand Army of the Republic, 100 men, with Continen- 
tal Drum Corps, of Providence, R. I. 
Sons of Veterans, General Couch Camp No. 26, 50 men. 
I. O. O. F., Patriarchs Militant, Canton Cohannet, No. 49, 30 men. 
Manchester Unity, I. O. O. F., Friendship Lodge, No. 6429, 
150 men, with Taunton City Fife and Drum Corps. 
Catholic Total Abstinence and Aid Society, 100 men. 
Division 8, Ancient Order of Hibernians, 100 men, with the 
Fall River Fife and Drum Corps. 
Y. M. C. T. A. & L. Society, 100 men, with Carter's Band. 
\\'hittenton C. T. A. & B. Society, 60 men. 
Society of St. John the Baptist, 50 men, with Whittenton Brass Band. 
French Naturalization Club, 50 men. 
Woman's Christian Temperance Union, barge. 
Taunton Tennis Association, Tally-ho Coach. 
Improved Order of Red Men, Winnecunnet Tribe, No. 71, under 
command of Sachem Albert S. Eldridge. 
Order of the Iron Hall, Branches No. 439, 473, 607, 612. 

SIXTH DIVISION. 

Hill's New Bedford Brass Band, George Hill, Leader. 
Capt. WiLLiAisr R. Black, Assistant Marshal. 

AIDS. 

William F. Bodtish, George E. Dean, Herbert Fisher. 

Representations of Various Branches of Business in the City of 
Taunton. 



1 84 



QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 



The Butchers' Association, 50 Men in Uniform. 
Trades Wagons, Nos. i to 50. 



A. White & Co. 
L. H, Goward. 
Geo. E. Packard. 
Geo. Williams. 
Alfred Boardman. 
A. O. Packard. 
P. Williams & Co. 
W. F. Bodt^sh & Co, 
Reilly Bros. 
Ingell & Clapp. 



EXHIBITORS. 

Cobb, Bates & Yerxa. 
M. J. Gammons & Co. 
Giliford & Trafton. 
A. J. Pierce. 
Frank Beaulieu. 
Eustus C. Bassett >S: Co. 
Geo. T. Bullock. 
Henry Paling. 
Hamilton Parker. 
Geo. W. Parker. 
Robert Coutts. 



SEVENTH DIVISION. 
Major Joseph J. Cooper, Assistant Marshal. 

AIDS. 

Capt. Zeba F. Bliss. Charles T. Williams. G. A. Babbitt. 

Weir .Stove Company, 150 men in line, with Drum Corps. 

Floats and Wagons representing the Manufactures of Taunton. 

Nos. 50 to 100. 

exhibitors. 



Brick Makers Asso. 
Presbrey Stove Lining Co. 
Union Stove Lining Co. 
Mason Machine Works. 
Dighton Furnace Co. 
Phoenix Mfg. Co. 
Peck & White. 
Reed &: Barton. 
J. H. Sproat. 
Taunton Crucible Co. 
A. Field & Co. 



Taunton Copper Mfg. Co. 

Brownell & Burt. 

Elizabeth Poole Mills. 

No. Dighton Co-op. Stove Co. 

West Silver Co. 

The New Process Twist Drill Co. 

John B. Sullivan. 

H. A. Williams & Co. 

Leonard Co-op. Foundry Co. 

S. A. Dudley. 

Barker & Mason. 



THE GRAND PROCESSION, 



185 



Strange's Machine Works. Whittenton Mfg. Co. 

J. A. McDonald. 

EIGHTH DIVISION. 
Philander Williams, Assistant Marshal. 

AIDS. 

Lyman Mason, John H. Eldridge, Henry N. Hopkins. 

Representations of the Trades and Business of Taunton. 
Trades Wagons, Nos. 100 to 150. 

EXHIBITORS. 

Staples Coal Co. Jos. Peltier. 

Briggs & Co. M. A. Cleary. 

Nelson Mallet. Clark Bros. 

N. Crapo & Bro. Wm. R. Black. 

Manter Bros. ' A. Milot. 

W. H. Chase. Centennial Tea Co. 

P. Coyle. L. E. Leonard Heirs. 

Quigley Bros. R. H. White. 
Dr. C. W. Gregory. 



NINTH DIVISION. 

Martland's Band of Brockton, Mace Gay, Leader. 
VV.M. H. Lewis, Assistant Marshal. 

AIDS. 

Bradford D. Albro, W. H. Gatfney, George K. Story. 

Representations of the 'I'rades and Business of Taunton. 

Trades Wagons, Nos. 150 to 200. . 

EXHIBITORS. 

Hunter Bros. 
Fred. A. Jones. 
Soule Piano Co. 



Colby's Clothing House. 
Taunton Clothing Co. 
N. H. Skinner & Co. 
F. W. Ganong. 
Davenport & Mason. 
Thos. (). Falvey. 
W, N. & M. G. Smith. 



Chas. W. Coops. 
H. L. Davis & Co. 
Thos. Cusick & Sons. 
Morton Bros. Steam Laundrv 



1 86 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

W. L. Presbrey. John D. Robinson & Co. 

Chas. H. Washburn. Peter H. Corr. 

Pierce Hardware Co. C. Coleman. 

Sanborn & Pye. Taunton Lumber Co. 

P. H. Kiernan. H. A. Dickerrnan. 

B. Kiernan. J. Hayden. 

Dunbar's Drug Store. U. M. Haskins. 
Geo. F. Williams. 

FORMATION OF PROCESSION. 

The first division formed on Summer street, right resting on 
Main street, at Cedar street. 

The second division formed on Dean and Main, right resting 
on Main at Union. 

The third division formed on Dean, right resting on Dean at 
O. C. R. R. crossing. 

The fourth division formed on School, right resting on Main. 

The fifth division formed on Spring and Bow, right resting on 
Spring at Summer. 

The sixth division formed on Broadway, right resting on 
Broadway at City Square. 

The seventh division formed on Cedar, right resting on Cedar 
at Main. 

The eighth division formed on Weir and High east of Weir, 
right resting on Weir at City Square. 

The right of the ninth division formed on Court, resting on 
Court at City Square, and the left of this division formed on 
Crocker Square, and Cohannet, west of Crocker Square, with right 
resting on Crocker Square at City Square. 

ROUTE OF PROCESSION. 

Main at Cedar street,-City Square, north side,-Winthrop,- 
High,-Weir,-West Water,-Second,-Somerset avenue,-VVebster,- 
Harrison avenue,-Harrison,-Winthrop,-High, -Washington, -Pleas- 
ant,-Broadway,-Washington,-Grant,-Cedar,-Fruit,-Union,-Main, 
-Spring,-Summer,-Main,-City Square. 




m- 




TABLEAU VIVANT. 
The Puritan Parson, a Leader of his People. 



THE GRAND TROCESSION. 187 

The procession completed its march and reached City 
Hall on its return at about three o'clock, where it passed in 
review before the Chief Marshal and his Aids, Distinguished 
Guests, His Honor the Mayor and the City Government ; 
after which the several Divisions as they arrived at points 
previously designated, left the procession and were dismissed 
in perfect order, so that all confusion was avoided. 

Nothing occurred on the route to mar the complete suc- 
cess and enjoyment of the parade. 

The immense crowds that thronged City Square were 
entertained in the afternoon by the playing of the bands, 
which were stationed at different points on the Common. 

The Celebration closed with a grand display of fire 
works in the evening at Agricultural Park, furnished by 
Hyde & Co., of Boston, who superintended the exhibition 
under the general direction of the committee on fire works. 
In addition to the usual display of rockets, Roman candles, 
mines, &c., the following set pieces were presented : 

Welcome. 

Etoile Magique, 

Wheel of Prometheus. 

(Crown with date 1639. | 
• - \ Flags " " 1889. i 

Constellation. 

Buying the Land,— Indian Figures with Elizabeth Pole. 

Portrait Gen'l Cobb, and Motto. 

Polka Pyramid. 

Falls of Niagara. 

City Seal. 

It was an extremely satisfactory exhibition and reflected 
great credit upon the committee having the matter in charge. 



l88 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

No satisfactory estimate can be made of the number of 
people who were present to witness this closing performance. 
It has been variously placed at from ten to twenty thousand, 
and even more. 

But when the brilliant dis[)lay was over, the vast assem- 
blage dispersed quietly and peaceably, as became the descend- 
ants and successors of the venerated colonists of 1639. 

Antl so ended our Ouarter Millennial Celebration. 




FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 

Occupying Site of tlic First Church Erected in Taunton. 




HISTORICAL HALL. 



DONATION AND LOAN EXHIBITION 

In Historical Hall. 



At a meeting of the Joint Committee of the 250th An- 
niversary Celebration, in City Hall, Feb. 23d, 1889, a vote 
was passed, that Historical Hall be opened for the reception 
of portraits, articles and relics of historic interest, for the 
entertainment of visitors during the days and evenings of 
the anniversary, and the following Committee was chosen to 
carry the vote into effect, viz : Rev. S. Hopkins Emery, Mr. 
J. F. Montgomery, Mrs. R. Henry Hall, Mrs. S. R. Town- 
send, Mrs. H. M. Lovering, Mrs. J. E. Sanford, Mrs. Fred- 
erick Mason, Mrs. Thompson Newbury, Mrs. E. T. Jackson, 
Mrs. George Brabrook, Mrs. N. E. Baylies, Mrs. Chas. L. 
Lovering, Mrs. Walter J. Clemson, Miss Adeline S. Baylies, 
Miss Sarah B. Williams, and two ladies from each of the six 
towns of ancient Taunton, and John W. D. Hall, Chairman. 

In compliance with the foregoing action the chairman 
called a meeting of the Committee in Historical Hall, May 
6th, for conference, relative to obtaining portraits, ancient 
relics, &c., for exhibition during the contemplated celebra- 
tion, June 4th and 5th. 

At this meeting Taunton, xNorton, Dighton, iviston. 
Raynham antl Berkley were rejiresented by ladies enthusi- 



I90 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

astic in the cause of the celebration. The proceedings were 
introduced in a brief address by the chairman : 

Ladies and Gentlemen : We are called together for a 
pleasing, not an irksome duty. Men have been making prepa- 
rations for months to inaugurate a celebration worthy the 
occasion — the 250th natal day of our ancient pilgrim town. 

Now the women propose to take action in a modest, less 
conspicuous way to honor the day and entertain visitors who 
may gather here during the anniversary, arid wish to enjoy a 
quiet rest from the jostling crowd out of doors, during the 
day and evening. This hall was appropriately selected for 
that purpose. Three women donated $500 each for mem- 
bership to consummate the enterprise, by securing the hall 
for memorial and historical purposes. This thoughtful gen- 
erosity of women is of rare record. 

As this hall is forever dedicated to the above objects, it 
is proposed, with the advice and co-operation of women, to 
secure the donation or loan of memorial portraits to be placed 
upon these walls, of revered men and women who have passed 
away, that they may look down upon us with favor and bene- 
diction. Three of our lady members have recently passed 
away and we hope to have their portraits, in memoriam. 

Also, rare memorial relics, which have been carefully 
laid away for years, are solicited for the same historic, in- 
structive purpose. All donations and loans will be duly re- 
corded and safely cared for. This is a brief key note to our 
proceedings. Rev. S. H. Emery, was elected Secretary. 

A committee was appointed, consisting of two ladies 
from each ward and two from each town, to solicit donations 
and loans, and they proceeded to work with alacrity, worthy 
the contemplated object. 

Ample arrangements were made in due season for the 
contemplated exhibition, and on the ist and 3d of June the 



DONATION AND LOAN EXHIBIT. I9I 

exhibitors began to throng Historical Hall with their dona- 
tions and loans, from the several wards of the city and adjoin- 
ing "daughter towns. " The subjoined reports in detail com- 
prise the donations and loan exhibits on the days of the cele- 
bration. 

PORTRAITS DONATED. 

Washington — full size copy of Stuart's painted 60 years ago, — by 
Bristol County Nat. Bank. 

1. Francis Baylies, — by John Ordronaux, LL. D., N. Y. 

2. Edmund Baylies, — by Mrs. Nathalie E. Baylies. 

3. Judge Laban Wheaton, — by Mrs. Eliza B. Wheaton, Norton. 
4 John Daggett, late Pres't. — by his daughter, Mrs. G. Sheffield. 

5. Dr. Alfred Baylies, — by Mrs. Frances A. Baylies. 

6. Samuel L. Crocker, — by his daughter, Mrs. D. N. Couch. 
William Allen Crocker, — by his son, Geo. A, Crocker, N. Y. 
Harrison Tweed, — by his son, Charles H. Tweed, N. Y. 

9. Dr. Ebenezer Dawes, — by his son, Rev. E. Dawes, Lakeville. 

10. Rev. Mortimer Blake, D. D., — by Mrs. Graham. 

11. Dr. Dan King, — by his daughter, Mrs. Alex'r H. Williams. 

12. Samuel O. Dunbar, — by Chas. A. Moore, St. Paul, Minn. 

13. Maj. Gen'i. G. H. Crosman, — by his son, J. H. Crosman, N. Y. 

14. Willard Levering, — by his sons, Charles L., William C, and 

Henry M. Levering. 

15. Robert Strobridge Dean, (from Hunter's easel.) 

16. H. B. Wetherell, — by his brother, H. W. Wetherell, Chicago. 
Abraham Lincoln, — by Harlus W. Wetherell, Chicago. 
Daniel Webster, — " " " " " 
Chas. Richmond, — by his son, Capt. Henry Richmond, N. Y. 
Albert Field, — by his son, William T. Field. 
Mrs. Abigail (Tisdale) Trescott,— by E. D. Tisdale. 
Joseph Dean, — by Rev. S. Hopkins Emery. 

23. Timothy G. Coffin, — by Hon. E. L. Barney, New Bedford. 

24. Silas Shepard, — by his daughter, Mrs. Lewis R. Chesbrough. 

25. Elias Strange, — by his .son, Emerson C. Strange. 
Ben. Franklin, in Fr. court dress, 1785, — by J. W. D. Hall. 



192 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

27. Horatio Leonard, — by Mrs. B. Franklin Dean, Raynham. 

28. Dr. Zephaniah Leonard, — by Gustavus Dean, " 

29. Rev. S. Hopkins Emery, — by Gilbert R. Manter. 

30. Frederic Crafts, — by Mrs. H. W. Crafts, Abington. 

31. Charles Sumner, — by J. W. D. Hall. 

32. Washington and his Generals, — by H. W. Wetherell, Chicago. 

33. Webster and the Statesmen of 1850, — by the above 

34. John Bradford Williams, — by Mrs. M. J, Hammond. 

35. Washington and Henry Clay, — by J, W. D. Hall. 

36. California Pioneers of New England, — by Gen. Samuel A. 

Chapin, Norton. 
View of residences north and east of the Green, 100 years ago, — 

by S. A. Williams. 
Original deed of "Taunton North Purchase" 1689— signed by 

Gov. Wm. Bradford, only one extant. 
Original deed of 200 acres territory to C'aptains Thomas and James 

Leonard for the Chartley forge, 1696 — origin of Norton. 
Deed of Dighton Rock. — procured by Niels Arnzen. 

PHOTOGRAPHS PORTRAITS. 

Mrs. Frances Baylies, Mrs. Harriet Baylies Morton, Nathaniel 
Morton, John Ordronaux, LL. D., Mrs. Peddy (Leonard) Bowen, 
a medallion, — all by Mrs. L. M. S. Moulton, Roslyn, N. Y. 

Rev. Caleb Barnum, — by Mrs. Ann S. B. Vickery. 

Sam'l Caswell, — by his grand daughter, Mrs. W. Billings. 

Alexis Caswell, ex-pres't Brown University, — by same. 

Henry G, Reed, Edmund H. Bennett, — by Rev. S. H. Emery. 

Isaac Babbitt, — by Emerson C. Strange. 

Col. J. Sullivan Lincoln, — by Miss Ellen Lincoln. 

Leonard-Padelford Mansion, — by E. E. Leonard. 

William Rotch mansion. -view of Union St.. New Bedford, in 
1800, — by W. Macfarlane. 

The following is a list of the exhibitors and articles exhi- 
bited : from — 

WARD ONK. 

Mrs. David W'astcoat — silver tankard, silver porringer, silver 
sugar tongs 150 years old; silver snuff box date of 177 1; a candle. 



nOXATION AM) I.OAX EXHIBIT. [93 

Stick which was used on a table at which Gen. Washington sat; a 
china coffee pot, a laughing cup, a glass punch bowl, a tumbler, 
two pictures 150 years old. All these article-s formerly belonged 
10 the grandparents of Mrs. Wastcoat. 

Mrs. Martin J. Lincoln — an old chair. 

Isaac W. Wilcox — an old stand, a foot stove and warming 
pan, a calash, three pewter porringers, one bowl, two mugs, six 
small silver spoons, formerly belonging to the Wetherell family; a 
large silver spoon formerly belonging to the Ingell family, each 
article over a century old. 

Mrs. Charles Husband — a small table over a hundred years 
old, formerly owned by Miss Abigail Foster; a sampler wrought by 
Mrs. Husband in 1821; picture of iirst steam cars used in America. 

Mrs. Nathan Pratt — a silhouette of her father. Deacon Asahel 
Bliss. 

Mrs. J. A. Peckham — miniatures on ivory, of her father and 
mother, Eliab W. Metcalf and Mrs. Lydia (Steadman) Metcalf. 

Mrs. Abram Briggs — an ancient chair. 

Miss Mary E. Wilcox — two platters and three creamers, each 
over 150 years old, a plaid cloak 97 years old. 

George A. King — a flint lock gun used in the war of 18 13, 
andirons. 

Mrs. Herbert Pierce — spinning wheel, a bunch of flax, a pair 
of snuffers. 

Mrs. J. A. Peck — picture of her grandmother, Mrs. Abigail 
(Leonard) White, an old mirror, 200 years old,-bought in Paris. 

Mrs. Dexter Horton — pair of wine glasses. 

Mrs. Thomas Goff — an old picture, "The Age of Man." 

Mrs. John Blake — sword used in war of 18 12, enrollment list. 

Mrs. J. C. Bartlett — a portrait of her great grandmother, the 
wife of Rev. Stephen Hull, a former minister of Raynham. 

Miss Alice Onssman — a silver spoon. 150 years old, a china 
cup and saucer. 

Mrs. Elias A. Morse — a picture of the old Elliot house, which 
stood opposite Music Hall. 

Mrs. M. Babbitt — a home made linen towel. 



194 OUARTF.K MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

Mrs. R. Temple — a pair of satin slippers, a century old. a 
reticule, a beaded bag. 

Mrs. Edward Temple — pitcher. 150 years old. ancient looking- 
glass, a foot stove. 

The Misses Husband — oil painting of Mr. Charles Husband 
at the age of 15, a portrait of the same' at 60. 

Miss M. Wilson — home made linen, a striped blanket. 

Mrs. Edward Mott — warming pan, pitcher, two silhouettes. 

James E. Wilmarth — picture of the old Cohannet Tavern. 

Miss Ellen Luscomb — an oil painting of Mrs. Mary J. ( Has- 
kans) Lincoln. 

Mrs. A. W. Ashley — two ancient ]:)ictures. of Christ and his 
mother. 

Mrs. N. Paige — a platter, a plate. 

Mrs. Job Crossman — a very old silver spoon. 

Mrs. R. H. Hall — a mortar and pestle, linen table cloth, three 
silhouettes, a coffee pot, china tea caddy, two pewter plates, two 
china plates, a brown platter, a wooden bowl, -each article o\er 
too years old. 

P. Williams — picture of the "Old Hall Homestead," Dean St. 

Mrs. Philander Williams — coffee pot, plate, water pot, large 
tumbler of flowered glass, foot stove, each o\er 100 years old; 
infant's dress embroidered in 1828: a picture in memory of Paul 
Leonard, who died in 18 14. 

Miss Phebe Robinson — a picture, worked in silk, in memory 
of a child of Ephraim Raymond and Polly, his wife; a chair 80 
years old, a platter with boat. 

Mrs. John W. Dixon — a coffee pot, over 100 years old. a sugar 
bowl, two tea pots, plates, glass decanter, 100 years old; cup and 
saucer, fruit dish, a platter, each very old; an old portmanteau, 
picture of Leigh Richmond and John Wesley. 

Mrs. D. S. King — three ancient books. 

John C. Walker — a portrait of his father, Joseph Walker. 

Mrs. Charles H. Lincoln — six old plates, two silver spoons. 
over 100 years old; an old pitcher, a mu.stard jar. punch tumbler, 
plate and platter, each over 100 years old. 

Mrs. Robert Crossman — an account book of 1767. 



DONATION AN!) I.O.W KXIIIRII. 195 

Mrs. Charles A. Hathaway — coat of arms of Hathaway family. 

Misses Ann E. and Elizabeth A. Dean — plate, cup, and sau- 
cer, formerly belonging to their grandmother. Mrs. Amy (Erancis) 
Walker, and each over a century old. 

Oeo. H. Park — a cane, belonging to the Stephens family, in 
1730; worked pocket, over 14.0 years old, the Bible of Samuel Ste- 
phens, printed in 1762, the agreement concerning the Mill privi- 
lege at X. Dighton. 

L. C. Porter — Anti-Masonic medal of 1806. 

Arthur E. Park — horn pepper bo.x, over a century old. 

John F. Park — warrant for collection of state tax of Taunton 
in 1754. 

Frederic W. Park — portrait of his grandfather. C'apt. Richard 
Park, of Westville. 

Miss Mary J. Walsh — homespun linen, 150 years old. 

.Miss Alice C. Walsh — prayer book of 1735, arithmetic, 17 16. 

L. F. Dary — an almanack, 1779, a Bible, 1792. 

Mrs. John E. DeBlois — a dictionary of 1600 to 1700, Bible 
printed in 17 15, sampler wrought by Miss Scott in 1741. coat of 
arms wrought in silk in 1763. three pieces of china ware over 200 
years old, three pieces of china ware 130 years old. 

Mrs. Edward Bliss — coffee pot, plate, and cup, made in China 
for her grandfather, over 100 years ago. 

Mrs. Thomas Bates — a platter, over 100 years old, formerly 
belonging to Mrs. Abigail (White) Babbitt, her grandmother. 

Mrs. John Lovell — cup and saucer, over 100 years old, a plate, 
formerly belonging to Gov. John Hancock. 

Mrs. Isaiah Crow^ell — a sun glass, 150 years old. a skirt, spun 
and woven by her grandmother, a century ago. 

Mrs. McCrillis — a book ''Parable of the ten virgins." primed 
in 1695. 

Mrs. Mary I. Richmond — a chair. 150 years old, formerly the 
property of Rev. Thomas T. Richmond, and original!}- i)elonging 
to Judge Sam'l Tobey, of Berkley. 

Mrs. Albert I). Davol — a chair and tinder box, each over ico 
years old. 



IQf) Ol'ARTEK MILLENNIAL CELKHR ATION. 

Mrs. George F. Seaver — a white bedspread, pink hedquilt, 
linen sheets, pillow cases and towels, pair of ear rings, two brass 
candlesticks, silver knee buckles, silver spoons, a tin lantern, em- 
broidered pocket books, chain, -each article a century old; two 
china cups 120 years old; glass castor and vinegar cruet each 150 
years old, two dolls 90 years old, sampler 85 years old, sampler 
9 1 years old, two portraits 65 years old, lace and muslin embroid- 
ery from 55 to 70 years old; a Poem, written in 1772, a sermon, 
in 1792, three books of 1746,-1763,-1797: two silk dresses 60 
years old. 

Mrs. Shubael Bliss — bedspread, spun and woven by her great, 
great grandmother, over 100 years ago. 

Miss Ann E. Wilmarth — platter, 125 years old, pewter porrin- 
ger 100 years old, formerly belonging to Mrs. Mary Keith, the 
mother of Mrs. Samuel O. Dunbar; the sword carried by her father 
Learned Wilmarth, when captain of Norton Artillery, and his 
portrait. 

Mrs. Jeremiah J. Whitmarsh — "a scarf which was brought 
from the East Indies by Capt. Robert Whitmarsh of Dighton and 
is about 150 years old; sampler, wrought by Sally Talbot of Digh- 
ton, -daughter of Seth Talbot, 105 years ago. 

Mrs. A. C. Brownell — portraits of her father and mother, 
Lemuel M. Leonard and Mrs. Mary L. (Babbitt) Leonard; a stand- 
ing stool, over 100 years old used by the ancestors of Mr. A. C. 
Brownell, a chair 106 years old, formerly belonging to her great 
grandmother, Mrs. Bathsheba (Luscomb) Babbitt. 

Mrs. Francis B. Perry — silver dollar 1797, an iron pipe, 
brought from England 225 years old, seven pieces of china ware 
over a century old, miniature of Capt. Solomon T. Hallett of Yar- 
mouth, painted in 1822 in France, a "Zion's Herald" of 1828; a 
poem by Christopher Smart, copied from the Providence Patriot of 
June 14, 1820. 

Miss C. A. Luscomb — two ancient bonnets. 

Mrs. J. Alfred Messinger — two tea spoons, coffee mug, ]:)late 
over 150 years old. 

Mrs. Hugh Cunningham — a cup, saucer, and creamer, each 
150 years old, formerly the property of Galen Hicks, 



DONATiOX AND LOAN i:.\ II I lill'. 197 

P. II. Pickens — compass and chain, loo years old, made and 
used by Silas Pickens. 

Fred. A. Pickens — watch io6 years old, a box 193 years old. 

George A. Washburn — portrait of his grandfather Isaac Wash- 
burn; a drummer's coat, worn in the war of 18 12. 

Mrs. N. j. Crossman — portrait of Learned j. Wilmarth. her 
father. 

Mrs. Edgar G. Hlanding — portrait of her father. Rev. Horace 
Seaver, a satin picture wrought by her mother, Mrs. Louisa (Loth- 
rop) Seaver. 

Miss Maria W. Nichols — portraits of her father and mother, 
James M. Nichols and Mrs. Eliza (Worsley) Nichols. 

John F. Montgomery — an ancient sun glass, used by Nicho- 
las Roche to light his pipe; money scales, used by the same over 
100 years ago; a carved busk; silver spoons that belonged lo John 
Montgomery, who came from Scotland 17 14: a pocket belonging 
to the great grandmother of Mrs. Wm. H. Phillips. 

O. L. Merriam — a rare engraving "The Politician" by Ilo- 
garlh; "The Jocund I^easants, " by DuSant-brought from England 
by Mr. Jacques, the donator of Worcester Hospital. 

Gecirge E. Manning — ancient books, two of them over 150 
years old, the others about 80 years old. 

George W. Colby — portrait of his father, Samuel Colby. 

J. J. Cooper — a cane, made from a part of Fort DuQuesne. 
which was built in 1753. 

Miss Anna D. Reed — a china tea caddy, which once belonged 
to her great grandmother, Mrs. Abraham Dennis, and afterwards 
to her great aunt, Mrs. Rebecca (Dennis) Padelford, wife of Judge 
Scth Padelford; a pair of brass andirons, which belonged to her 
uiulher. Mrs. \\'m. Reed. 

WARD TWO. 

Mrs. I). S. Elliot — copy of "Boston Gazette, "-Oct. 10, 1757: 
a pewter drinking cup for invalids, a pewter porringer, a pair of 
pointed slippers 125 years old. 

Joseph E. Wilbar — portrait of his father I )ea. Joseph Wilbar. 

Harrv A. Holmes — an ancient shawl. 



198 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

Capt. Alden H. Hlake — the commission of Edward Blake, 
gentleman, ensign of the company of Capt. Samuel Williams, 
issued by Gov. Jonathan Belcher, 1737. 

Charles Emerson Strange — portrait of his grandfather Elias 
Strange. 

Mrs. F. A. Brown — a tea pot, over loo years old. 

Mrs. Nancy H. Hood — linen vest 106 years old, lad\'s out- 
side pocket, 90 years old. 

Miss H. Swasey — a christening robe 200 years old, foot stove, 
over 100 years old, a mandolin, a fiint box. 

Mrs. Mary A. Cordner — pewter plate 141 years old, pewter 
sugar bowl, a copy of the "Connecticut Gazette," 1788, silver shoe 
buckle. 

William Bosworth — pewter platter, pewter porringer, lantern, 
horn comb case, china platter, each over 100 years old; old trunk, 
hammer 40 years old, a bed wrench in use 50 years ago, rule 40 
years old, razor and strap go years old, shuttles for hand weav- 
ing, spectacles 80 years old, tinder box 75 years old, tobacco 
33 years old, house pocket book 90 years old, tea pot 75 years 
old; old coins, two wine bottles which came from England in 1780; 
continental currency, 1776-1778; Portuguese coin, 1795; \\nsh- 
ington Medal 1799 and a coin of 1700, both found in ruins of 
"Knotty walk" building; books of 1751 and 1790, pamphlets from 
1793 to 1843, newspapers from 1793 to 1844, coarse Hax, yarn spun 
from flax; timber pins and hand made nails, from " Knott\ walk" 
building, a cane made from wood of same. 

Bristol County Nat'l Bank — portrait of 'i'heodore Dean. 

Broadway Church — portraits of Rev. Erastus Maltby nnd 
Ilezekiah W. Church. 

Mrs. Morse — portraits of her parents. -L;iban Eddy and Mrs. 
( 'lara Cook Eddy. 

Mrs. \\'. J. Breed — portriiit of her father Jesse Smith. 

Mrs. Walter J. Clemson — portrait of her father Uilli;im .Ma- 
son, a hurdy-gurdy made by him when 15 years old. 

Heirs of Jared Sparks — a desk used at the first Congress, 1 789. 

Mrs. G. R. Huntley — portrait, Isaac Babbitt — donated. 



DON. \ 11 ON AND T.O.W I. \" 1 1 115 1 I-. TQQ 

\\.\RI> THREE. 

Mr.s. ( ). S. I'aiLije — ancient "New Knj;lantl Memorial;" needle 
work, wrought by .Miss Esther Stephens, in 1780; two cut glass 
dishes, owned by Rev. Nathaniel Fisher, first minister of Dighton^ 
1710: a book t)wned by Edmund Andrews, of Taunton, in 17.^5: 
stays, worn by Miss Susanna Lincoln, on -her wedding day, Jan. 
14, 1779; a china plate and a book, each 133 years old and belong- 
ing to the same. 

Miss Caroline \\ . C'randell — portrait of her great grand, 
mother, Mrs. Abigail ( Farrington-Weatherby) Johnson; three tea 
spoons formerly belonging to the Weatherby family; pictures of 
I'.iiih and Charity, published in London, 1799. 

Mrs. Thomas Ellery — ancient tea pot. sugar bowl, creamer. 

A. E. Bragg — china punch bowl over 180 years old. 

Mrs. William f>. Crandell — miniature of her father. Charles 
Weatherby, born 1778, died 1812. 

Mrs. Helen 15. Crane — a silver dollar which went through the 
"great tire" of 1838, three silver spoons, wooden mug, pewter dish. 
150 vears old, wine glass over 100 years old. 

Miss Mercy M. Hathaway — almanack of 1772, sampler, his- 
tory of King Philip's war, infant's wardrobe. 

Henry M. L()\ering — a portrait of his grandfather, (iov. Mar- 
cus Morton. 

Elisha C. Clark. New Bedford, — portrait, Leonard-Padelford 
mansion, east Court House — donated. 

WARD I-OUR. 

Miss Sarah B. Williams — a table cloth spun by hand, a ring, 
each of these have been in Carver family over 100 years; cup and 
saucer, a plate 150 years old, continental currency, 1775-76, for- 
merly belonging to Capt. Geo. Williams; book, printed during the 
reign of Ceorge the Second; book of sermons 1638. an account 
ot' coronation of Charles the Second. Jan. i. 1651. aticient docu- 
ments belonging in the Williams family; two paper knives made 
from the timber ol the first meeting house in Taunton; home made 
towel, formerly belonging to Mrs. Jean (Gordon) Strobridge; cu|) 



200 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

and saucer, formerly belonging to Mrs. Anna (Strobridge) Dean; 
the wedding dress of Mrs. Abigail (Williams) Hodges; dinner horn 
over ICO years old, used in the family of Capt. George Williams. 

Miss Celia A. Williams — silver plated teapot. 

Mrs. Gertrude W. Austin — embroidered linen robe. 

Joseph F. Dean — tobacco box. 

J. Lewis Austin — silver watch, Hint lock musket, bread peel. 

Mrs. B. Church Vickery — a pitcher over a century old. 

Miss Alice M. Williams — white silk stockings and Avhite satin 
vest, worn by Capt. Abiathar Williams on his wedding day,-Oct. 
i8, 1801. 

Miss Charlotte A. Williams— large silver spoon, belonging in 
the Carver family over 100 years. 

Mrs. J. W. D. Hall — a pair of gold ear rings, worn by a bride 
in 1783, pair of gold cuff buttons, mourning piece, wrought in 1805, 
a silver sugar bowl, 80 years old, glass tea bottle of 1776, India 
wrought shell comb. 

Miss Julia Seaver — portraits of her parents, Benjamin Sea- 
ver and Mrs. Susanna Lippitt (Hull) Seaver, a silver pitcher. 

Mrs. James Brown — ancient china tea set, a sermon preached 
by Robert Cushman, in 162 1, at Plymouth, printed, 1626. 

Mrs. Lewis R. Chesbrough — three line engravings of old 
heads, 1640; old china, very old embroidery. 

Mrs. F. C. Brown — snuff box, 100 years old, Bible of 1715, 
two cups and a saucer, 100 years old. 

Elizabeth Hall — portrait of Rev. Pitt Clark. 

H. L. Waldron — law dictionary, 1773, -ancient documenl. 

J. W. D. Hall — autograph letter of President George \\ash- 
ington in 1796 to John Marshall, Chief Justice in 1801, found in 
a Virginia mansion during the rebellion; l^ S. continental curren- 
cy, three notes issued in 1776,-paid to Samuel Hall, a revolution- 
ary soldier in 1783. 

Mrs. Wm. H. Fox — Bible. 1756, Gazetteer, 1796. 

Mrs. Lois H. Congdon — confederate currency, ^i, and $5. re- 
spectively, also continental money. 

Herbert A. Dean — watch charm, knee buckles, spur, sleeve 
buttons. 



DONATION AND LOAN EXHIBIT. 20I 

Mrs. (}, Frank Dean — a reel, formerly belonging lu her Ljreal 
grandmother, two samplers loi and 82 years old respectively; kid 
mits, child's embroidered apron, cup and saucer, over two centu- 
ries old, ancient jug. 

Miss Anna L. Bonney — portrait of her great, great, great 
grandmother, Mrs. Abigail (Crossman) Thompson, born about 
1700; portrait of Nell Gwynne, Duchess of St. Albans, painted by 
Sir Peter Lely, and an old portrait of 17 th century,-each formerly 
belonging to her grandfather, Cephas 'i'hompson: ancient Flemish 
tapestry, from a cartoon of Raphael, nearly 300 years old. former- 
ly the property of the same. 

Mrs. Mary B. Washburn — cradle 200 years old, ancient skates. 

Samuel G. Hicks — a square over 100 years old. 

Mrs. J. W. Dean — ancient pepper box. 

Mrs. J. S. Rounds — miniature on ivory of her father, K. 15. 
Leonard, at the age of 17, wedding ear rings of her mother, Mrs. 
Harriet (Ingell) Leonard; miniature on ivory of her grandfather, 
Samuel Leonard, and a portrait of the same: portraits of her 
grand parents, Jonathan Ingell and Mrs. Freelove (Andrews) In- 
gell; a quilt embroidered by Mrs. E. B. Leonard. 

Miss A. S. Baylies — portrait of Charles R. Vickery; minia- 
ture on ivory of Capt. Job Hall, -painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds; 
portrait of James Sproat, who was born in 1758; Sproat family 
tree, embroidered on satin; miniature on ivory of Apollos Leonard; 
a china plate and coat of arms of the Beale family brought from 
England by Miss Beale, who married Jonathan Cobb of Taunton; 
cup, saucer and salt cellar, formerly owned by Rev. John West. 

Joseph S. Pitts— portraits of his parents,-Abner Pitts and 
Mrs. Eleanor (Sanford) Pitts. 

Mrs. Henry G. Reed — infant's siioes. worn by her grand- 
father. Christopher Carpenter, who was born in 1762. 

D. A. Burt — ancient books,-" Curious Epitaphs," "Looking 
unto Jesus" or a "Collection of Experiences and Sermons'" 
preached in the i7lh century and printed 1762; ''Farrago" 1733. 

Mrs. James B. Lane — brass candlestick, silver spoon, 109 
years old, formerly belonging to her grandmother, Mrs. ^Lary 
Williams Byrani. 



202 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEHRATION. 

Miss Charlotte Morton Lovcring — portrait of her graiicl- 
niother. Mrs. Charlotte ( Hodjies i Morton, wife of (low Marcus 
Morton. 

I). I). Perkins — a wooden sugar bowl, made b_\- one of Wash- 
ington's army at Valley Forge, in winter of 1777-8. 

George M. Woodward — portrait of his father, James Wood- 
ward. 

(iertrude 1. Pond — a pamphlet containing letters respecting 
the .\nierican Revolution, written by John Adams, in Holland, in 
1 780. 

The *"()ld Flag" of Co. G, borne by Capt. Gordon's compan\- 
at Fortress Monroe in 1861 -and Capt. Paull's company at the 
Gulf expedition in 1863-4 — donated for preservation. 



Samuel A. Dean — portraits of his parents, Robert Dean who 
died 1822, and Mrs. Sarah Susan Leavitt (Padelford) Dean, who 
died 1850. 

Mrs. Samuel A. Dean — a brass candlestick. 

Mrs. Charles N. C. Barstow — By-laws of the proprietors ot 
the Taunton Social Library-1836. 

Miss Anna W. Dean — a sermon preached .May 16. 1792; home 
made long white gloves; a glass mug and a cream pitcher, each 
100 years old, owned by her grandmother. Mrs. Anna (Strobridge) 
Dean; three white feathers, white crape collar, and white lace arm- 
lets, worn by Mrs. Betsey (Dean) Hart, on her wedding da\-, 70 
years ago. 

Mrs. John W. Hart — china plate, ciierry rum bottle, a reel, 
swift, an embroidered silk picture wrought by Mrs. Betsey (Dean) 
Hart, gold beads, formerly the j^roperty of her grandmother. .Mrs. 
Sarah (Williams) Williams, and which were given to Mrs. XMIliani'- 
by her father George Williams. 

Mrs. Henry Shove — a pewter pot. 200 years old. used for 
making checkerberry tea. 

Joseph H. Padelford — ver\- old chair. 

Joseph L. Macomber — a stone jar. made b\ Joseph Hood, in 
'795- 



DONATION AXn I.OAX lAHIIilT. 20.^ 

Klienezer A. Dean — metal pipe, han};ing iron candlestick, 
copies of Resolves of the Legislature, 1776-1778; military order to 
commanders, 1780, warrant from Henry Gardner, I'reasurer State 
of Mass. Bay, to Ebenezer Dean, Collector, 1777: assessors' book 
for expense of expedition to Crown Point, 1776; assessors' book 
for Province. Town, and Minister's tax 1767: the commission of 
Ebenezer Dean as Captain of Militia, from Gov. Thomas Hutch- 
inson, under George the Third, 177.2. 

Mrs. Paddock Dean, who is 91 years old — a silver pepper box, 
150 years old, first owned by her great grand parents. Rev. Caleb 
and Mrs. Priscilla (Payson) Rice: a Bible 150 years old with silver 
clasps, owned by Mrs. Priscilla (Payson) Rice, before her marriage; 
gauze veil, cushion, fan, bead bag, bracelet and pin, heirlooms in 
the Barnum and Vickery families; a sermon preached by her grand- 
father, Rev. Caleb Barnum, in 1761; rules of Princeton College, 
while Mr. Barnum was a student there in 1753; a picture wrought 
by her grandmother, Priscilla Rice (afterwards the wife of Rev. 
Caleb Barnum) while attending school at Boston; pine apple pitch- 
er, formerly belonging to her father. Capt. David Vickery; china, 
wiiich belonged to her mother, Mrs. Priscilla ( Barnum) Vickery; 
a silver spoon, no years old once the property of Capt. Vickery 
and wife. 

Mrs. E. r. Jackson — a Bible, 1743. once belonging to her 
great gr;ind mother. Jean Gordon, who married Henry Strobridgc. 

Mrs. William Richmond — a shawl, over 70 years old. 

Jonathan Richmond — saddle bags, an ancient unifoim toal 
worn by Walter Richmond in 1806. 

Miss Alia R. .Soper — Continental currencw 1775,-7(^.-77; -i 
chest, 191 years old. 

Miss Jennie .M. Soper — snuff box. silver spoons. 

Mrs. William F. Dean — silk bed quilt. 120 years old. which 
belonged to her great grandmother, Mrs. Polly ( l.)ean ) Williams, 
wife of Capt. Jonathan U'illiams, of Raynham. 

L\sander Soper — a b.isket for holding cpiills. used b}' his an- 
cestor, Mrs. Hannah (Standish) Staples, wife of Dea. Seth Staples, 
and grand daughter of Capt. .Miles Slandish. of Duxbury. 



204 OUARTF.R MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

Mrs. Dr. Haskell — pitcher and sugar bowl. 

Mrs. Charles T. Robinson — clock, 115 years old, once owned 
by Gen. Cromwell Washburn. 

Mrs. Nathalie E. Baylies — epaulettesof Major Hodijah Baylies, 
of Dighton, aid-de-camp to Gen. Washington; two silver teaspoons, 
a silver watch, a pewter platter, three pieces of Continental curren- 
cy, $60, $8, and ^5, respectively; each of these articles formerly 
belonged to Major Baylies; an invitation from the Gov. of Mass., 
to Major Hodijah Baylies, July i, 1799; letter of Judge Hodijah 
Baylies, resigning the office of Judge of Probate for Bristol County, 
in 1834; letter from General Washington to Major Baylies, 1783; 
letter from Gen. Benjamin Lincoln to Maj. Baylies, 1778: an ad- 
dress or "broadside," distributed among the British soldiers, in 
England, during the Revolutionary War; a silver teaspoon belongs 
ing to Gen. Benjamin Lincoln; ancient pointed shoe, which was 
worn by Miss Elizabeth Lincoln, of Dighton, who died in 1824, 
aged 85 years; facsimile of the inscription on "Dighton Rock." 

Mrs. Samuel W. Robinson — Indian arrow heads. 

Miss .\Largaret S. Dean — cup and saucer, chocolale bowl, 
birch bark rind. Gentleman's Magazine,- 1 75 i; home made linen, 
iiand reel, a lin lantern; ;i pewter platter, marked Z. D. i7Jo,-tl)is 
was bought in Boston, by Miss Zipporah Dean, daughter of Joini 
and Hannah Dean, before her marriage to Benjamin Dean, who 
was son of Benjamin and grandson of Walter Dean. Mrs. Zip- 
porah (Dean) Dean tlied Sept. 27, 1778, in 75tli \ear. 

Mrs. Eliza Ann Fadelford — I'he History of the Reformalioii 
of Religion in the Realm of Scotland, from 1422 to 1567, which 
was brought from Scotland, by Mr. Wade, her great, great grand 
lather; Ledger of Edmund Williams, l^eginning 1740: a \cry old 
History of New Paigland. 

Samuel W. ALacomber — a tea jug, which once lielonged to 
the first Richard Williams of Taunton. 

Edward ( ). Hart — a sun glass. 

Mrs. Edward (). Hart — ancient hooks. 

Lysaniler W. and iulward (). Hart — a pair of j.itchers. 

Mrs. Julia P'airbanks — Ha.\, prepared for si;)inning; a bonnet, 
made by ".Ma'am Barstow. " wrought worsted pocket book, 125 



DONATION AND LOAN EXHIBIT. 2O5 

years old; a piece of an emhroidered wedding; petticoat, 125 years 
old. 

Miss Harriet A. Barstow — linen pillow cases, spun and woven 
by her great grandmother, Anna Strobridge of Lakeville, before 
her marriage to Joseph Dean, of Taunton, in 1774. vShe was 
daughter of Henry and Jean ((Gordon) Strobridge; gold beads 
which once belonged to Mrs. Jean (Gordon) Strobridge; a lilac 
silk shawl formerly the property of Miss Lois Dean, daughter of 
Joseph and Anna (Strobridge) Dean, who died a few years since, 
aged 91; a bible, a large spoon, six tea spoons, the last three ar- 
ticles have been in the Carver family over a century. 

WARD SIX. 

Mrs. Cyrus M. Hoard — portrait of her father, Capt. Allen Fres- 
brey; Kensington work, wrought in 1806, by her mother Mrs. 
Mary (Locke) Presbrey; wedding tea set belonging to her grand 
parents, Seth Presbrey and Mrs. Sarah (Pratt) Presbrey; portraits 
of the same; a map of the world, drawn by Capt. Allen Presbrey, 
with a quill pen; portrait of her uncle, Capt. Seth Presbrey, Jr., 
born 1779. 

Henry F. Cobb — silver porringer and mug, belonging to his 
grandfather, Jonathan Cobb. 

Mrs. J. F. Montgomery — wedding vest of John Montgomery; 
ancient spoon; chair 150 years old. 

Mrs. Ruth A. French — table cloths, towels, and pillow cases, 
woven 114 years ago, by her grandmother, Mrs. Burt, when 17 
years of age; ancient dishes; two shawls 100 years old; old books; 
teaspoons 112 years old. 

Mrs. Frjinces P. Tripp — portrait of her father, Alpheus San- 
ford; portrait of her son. Dr. ¥. D. Tripp; several ancient books, 
formerly belonging to the Sanford family; a book of sermons, 1685. 

Mrs. Edward Cushman — pewter platter, owned by her ances- 
tor, Capt. Miles Standish; three ancient receipts; flax wheel and 
flax; cotton hank bag 150 years old; two deeds, of 17 12-1725, 
signed by Thomas Cushman, a grandson of Elder Cushman; book, 
1743; hatchel; three silver tea spoons over 130 years old; embroid- 



206 Ol^^RTEK MII.LKNNIAI. CELF.RR ATIOX. 

ered pocket book 117 years old: toilet set, made bv Mrs. E. S. 
Cushman, from home made linen, 100 years old. 

Mrs. A. Jones Sanford — copy of the "Massachusetts Sun," 
1775; a spear, used in the battles of Lexington, and Hunker Hill, 
by Capt. John Sanford. 

Mrs. A. H. Hathaway — spoon mould, 100 years old. 

Herbert M. Bassett — a chair, played with by six generations 
of children, and formerly the property of Richard Hathaway. 

George G. Crane — the sword carried by his great grandfather. 
Brig. Gen. George Godfrey, in the war of the Revolution. 

Mrs. Seth E. Williams — snuff box, tea spoon, cup and saucer, 
ear ring, sword, knee buckles, beaded bag, continental currency,- 
each article over a century old: silhouettes of Misses Hannah and 
Hertilla Seaver. 



Mrs. John Dunbar — mirror, pewter porringer, cup and saucer, 
tea spoon, milk pitcher, wooden candlestick, each over a century 
old; shawl no years old; salt cup 150 years old; pewter platter, 
three pewter plates, horn pepper box, each 125 years old. 

Mrs. George Dunbar — linen bedspread, woolen bedspread. 
towel, handkerchiefs, tea spoon, bead bag, plate, basket, snuffbox, 
each article over 100 years old; six ancient coins; decanter; bead 
purse; a copy of "Ulster County Gazette," Jan. 4, 1800; Bible of 
1752; tea spoon 175 years old; Indian History of 1772. 

Mrs. Hezekiah Merrill — sugar bowl, tea spoons, ear rings, 
breast pin, each over 100 years old; book of 1785: gold beads; 
linen shawl 125 years old: woolen coverlet. 

Mrs. Wm. Kittrell — a book, 1785; counterpane, table cloth, 
three towels, each over 100 years old; a chair used in W'estville 
church, during the pastorate of Rev. Alvan Cobb. 

Frank Bragg — pewter platter and plate, over 100 years old : 
cup and saucer 75 years old; pitch pipe; cider mug. 

Mr. Whitman — a Fiji war Club; tea pot 200 years old: linen 
gloves, spun and woven by a bride of 200 years ago; worn by the 
groom at weddings for four generations. 



nOXATION A\I) LOAN- EXHIBIT. 20/ 

Henry Hart — a drawing of Diohton Rock, 182 1; horn of the 
oryx; books of 1793 and 1795. 

Mrs. John Wihiiarth — coin of 1789; an old plate: coniniunioii 
service of the old Baptist church at West Taunton. 

Mrs. Chester Wilmarth — silver spoons go years old; a pitcher 
16S7; bowl 200 years old; two sugar bowls over loo years old. 

Mrs. Eber Luther — Monkey jug 125 years old. 

Lewis Dary — spy glass, taken from the house occupied bv Jeff. 
Davis at the evacuation of Richmond. 

Mrs. Allen Burt — a history of England, 1759: a plate, cup 
and saucer, each over loo years old; punch glasses; copy of "Rut- 
land Herald, '' Oct. 12, 1795; copy of " The Sun " a Taunton paper, 
July 12, 1833; sugar bowl 150 years old. 

Walter Burt — ancient coin. 

Miss Lucy Bliss — bead chain, 1833. 

Mrs. Joseph Dunbar — sugar bowl, tea pot, creamer, three 
pitchers, tea cup and saucer, coffee cup, mustard cup, three plates, 
decanter, wine and punch glasses, shawl, collar, linen pillow cases, 
towels, thirty pieces of wearing apparel, each over 100 years old; 
cup and saucer 80 years old; linen apron front 150 years old; 
pocket with skeins of linen and cotton 125 years old; three dresses 
and other articles, formerly belonging to the LeValley family; nine 
ancient coins; ear rings 125 years old; hair bracelet 75 years old; 
two books over 100 years old; gold beads over 125 years old. 

Mrs. Abigail Pratt — large painted plate over 200 years old. 

Abel Crane — scales for weighing money, two centuries old. 

Wm. J Walker — needle book 125 years old; silver sleeve but- 
tons. 

Benj. Lincoln — cradle; documents 1680. 

Dea. Lorenzo Lincoln — spectacles 150 years old. 

Miss Mary R. Lincoln — open work plate 171; years old; 
doughnut fork 200 years old. 

Miss R. Babbitt — two cups and saucers, 125 years. 

Mrs. Samuel W. Gulliver — sugar bowl; china cup and saucier; 
painted tea set 125 years old. 

Mrs. Randall Bullock — a plate over 200 years old. 

Frank Walker — suit worn in war of 18 12, bv (Jeorge Walker. 



208 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

Mrs. R. rioyt — sword 75 years old. owned 1)y Capt. Ebenezer 
Walker. 

Mary W. Lincoln — bottle called " Woodpecker bottle, " 200 
years old. 

Miss Caroline Lincoln — basin, pewter platter, pewter plate, 
earthen dish, each 250 years old; pitcher 200 years old; two hand- 
kerchiefs, infant's cap, each 125 years old; breadth of silk dress 
120 years old; pewter plate 115 years old: towel woven in 1783, by 
P.ethany Lincoln; ancient book. 

WARD EIGHT. 

Mrs. K. F. Knox — a small wooden box, formerly the property 
of Rev. Samuel Danforth, the fourth minister of Taunton. 

Mrs. George Harvey — a cannon ball of Revolutionary War. 

Mrs. Enoch Chase — tea pot 150 years old. 

Miss Sarah Brabrook — two ancient books: sampler 97 years 
old; two silver tea spoons over 100 years old. 

Mrs. H. J. Burbank — large glass tumbler. 

Mrs. George Brabrook — portrait of her mother, Mrs. Fidelia 
(Danforth) Knowles; bead necklace, a bag, child's hood, child's 
bank; mug and plate having Franklin's proverbs on them; china 
cream pitcher; a cake plate; Majolica cup and saucer: bonnet and 
veil of 60 years ago: armlets: two samplers 68 and 83 years old, 
respectively. 

William H.Tyndal — two nails from the coffin of Elizabeth Pole. 

Edwin AL Hills — a chair 140 years old, originally owned by 
Daniel Williams,-born 1718,-died 1782; infant's homespun linen 
garment and caps over 125 years old; china tea caddy, creamer, 
and plate, 85 years old; blue crockery ware 65 years old; milk- 
weed cape made in 1830, by his mother, Mrs. Sarah M. (Pratt) 
Hills; portrait of his father, Capt. Seneca Hills. 

Mrs. David D. Babbitt — saddle bags, pewter dish, flint, tin- 
der, tobacco and cartridge boxes, each over 100 years old, and 
once owned by Obed Dean, a Resolutionary soldier, born 1750; 
wooden plate; spice mill; three almanacks, 1783, 1788, 1789; In- 
dian hatchet. 



DONATION AND LOAN EXHIBIT. 2O9 

Mrs. Albert Mitchell — Indian arrow head and spfear head, 
dug up near Scadding's Pond in 1868; a copper penny blank, 
found in the old copper privilege, near the site of Reed & Barton'.s 
clam, a pink pearl, found in a fresh water clam taken from Taun- 
ton River. 

Frank L. Fish — a spoon, made from silver buckles worn by 
his grandfather in 1770. 

Miss Maude Fish — a beaded needle book 65 years old. 

John A. Abbott — valuable papers, printed in 1789; Maga- 
zines, printed in 1 748-1 793: coat of arms of his great grand- 
father. Rev. Jonathan French, of Andover, Mass., a descendant 
in the 5th generation from John and Priscilla Alden. 

Mrs. J. A. Abbott — a warming pan 200 years old; mirror 175 
years old; china cup and saucer 150 years old; pewter plate 170 
years old; earthen churn with wooden paddle, 150 years old; 
china cup and saucer 100 years old; china fruit dish 150 years old. 

Mrs. Frank L. Fish — lady's tobacco and pipe case over two 
centuries old; a foot stove used in church 175 years ago; a pewter 
platter 170 years old; a beaded bag 65 years old. 

Mrs. Theo. P. Hall — a sermon on the parable of the prodigal, 
delivered to the third parish in Newbury. Aug. 18, 1793, by Abra- 
ham Moor, A. M. 

NORTON. 

Mrs. Moses Lincoln — almanacs, 1789, 1790, 1791; a Bible 
133 years old, formerly owned by Dea. Simeon Williams, of Taun- 
ton, and bought Mar. 3, 1762, for 18 shillings. 

Miss Kate L. Wood — almanacs, from 1759 to 1788. 

John D. Hardon — commission of his grandfather. Lieut. 
Isaac Hardon, 1790. 

Eben Willis — kettle-drum, carried by his great grandfather 
Nathaniel Stone, at the siege of Boston, also used in French war; 
it was made in 1745, by Robert Crossman of Taunton, drum 
maker of New England. 

Mrs. Eunice M. Blanding — Robinson Crusoe, 1794. 

Mrs. E. T. Wetherell — a tile from the Peddy Bowen house, 
built before 1700, 



2IO QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

Miss Lizzie A. Smith — needle case and thread bag over loo 
years old, formerly the property of her great grandmother, Mrs. 
Lydia (Perry) Bowen, of Rehoboth. 

Mrs. John D. Hardon — sampler wrought by Mrs. Eunice 
(Sweet) Hardon. 

Miss Lintha A. H. Francis — silver spoon 128 years old, for- 
merly belonging to her great grandmother, Mrs. Elizabeth (Wil- 
liams) Gilbert; a small earthen pitcher, given to her grandmother, 
Mrs. Mary (Kimball) Goward, in 1781; a spinning cup, used on a 
wheel to wet the fingers when spinning by her grandmother, Mrs. 
Mercy (Gilbert) Francis, who was born Aug. 25, 1776: a joepper 
box owned by the same. 

Alexander Foster — honey jar, brought from England nearly 
200 years ago, by his great grandfather, Alexander Foster, who 
settled in Attleboro', Mass. The jar has never been used for any 
other purpose. 

George R. Perry — portrait of Rev. Pitt Clarke; pitch pipe 85 
years old, made and used by his father, Capt. Lemuel Perry. 

Mrs. Joseph Newcomb — a specimen of ancient carving: In- 
dian adze. 

Mrs. Allen Blandin — iron knocker formerly on the door of 
the first church built in Norton. 

Mrs. William W. Smith — sword broken in a battle, formerly 
owned by her great grandfather, Mr. Davis, of Mattapoisett, who 
was drafted in the Revolution: his son Joseph Davis (her grand- 
father) went in his place. 

Mrs. S. J. Freeman — two commentaries, of 1618 and 1^)77. 

Miss Achsah W^illiams — a .standard, brought home from the 
French War, by her great grandfather, Capt. Benjamin Williams, 
who commanded a company in 1756, at Fort William Henry. 

Mrs. Jones Godfrey — powder horn taken in French \\ ar: an- 
cient church records of Norton; sword and spear, carried by ('apt. 
Tisdale Godfrey; a Bible of 1752. 

William D. Wetherell — a deed, bearing the only known sig- 
nature of \\Mlliam Wetherell, the first settler of Norton; pair of 
scales; Indian relics. 



nONATION AND LOAN EXHIBIT. 211 

Alden H. Leonard — ancient bullets and flints; Indian relics. 

Miss Sophia C. Sweet — a medical work, 1561, brought from 
England by her great grandfather, Dr. John Blake; a ferule used 
in school, by her grandmother, Sarah Balcom, born 1757, and 
afterwards wife of Jason Blake. 

Miss Harriot A. Newcomb — portraits of her grand parents, 
General Thomas Lincoln, of Taunton, born Sept. 4, 1759, died 
Aug. 10, 1836, and Mrs. Esther (Newland) Lincoln, born May 23, 
1766; sampler wrought by Esther Newland in 1784: saucer over 
100 years old, from a set owned by her great grand parents, 
Ambrose Lincoln and Mrs. Hannah (Clapp) Lincoln; bill of sale 
of two slaves to Ambrose Lincoln, Mar. 16, 1747: a permit for a 
slave to visit Stoughton, May 31, 1749; a lottery ticket, to aid in 
removing rocks and shoals from Taunton Great River, May, 1760: 
school certificate to Betsey Lincoln, bearing the signature of Rev. 
John Pipon; promissory note, having the signature of Alexander 
Hamilton, June 5, 1788; writing book of Ambrose Lincoln, 1716; 
a love letter, written Jan. 13, 1763, by Miss Sarah Bowen, of 
Dighton, to Amos Newland, of Norton, with draft of reply, and a 
second letter, in rhyme; a purse made from home made crewels, 
by Hepzibah Lincoln, born 1749, died 1782, first wife of Solomon 
\\'etherell, of Taunton; home made, plaid linen shirt, worn by 
Ambrose Lincoln, Sr., who died Mar. 3, 1795; a silver stock but- 
ton, worn by Gen. Thomas Lincoln; quill pen, used by Hannah C. 
(Lincoln) Brigham, while at school in Boston; home made gar- 
ments over 1 00 years old, worn by her grandfather, Josiah New- 
comb, Sr.; silver shoe and knee buckles, owned in Newcomb fam- 
ily over 100 years; infant's slip and cap of ancient make; cane, 
owned by Nathaniel Newcomb, made from wood from the Han- 
cock house, Boston, erected in 1729; cartridge box carried in Rev- 
olution; letters patent, signed by James Madison, president of 
United States, Dec. 3, 1814; kitchen furniture; an India rubber, 
made many years before Goodyear's patent was issued; printed 
account of battles and songs over 100 years old; two India cotton 
dresses, worn in 1799, by Nathaniel Newcomb, who was born Apr. 
12, 1797: silver tray and snuffers. 



212 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

DKiH ION. 

Mrs. Abbie W. Whitmarsh — tea caddy and pickle di.sh, over 
150 years old; foot stove and brass candlesticks, over 100 years 
old; pair of slippers which were worn by a lady when riding with 
Gen. LaFayette; nutmeg" grater. 1787; a serpent; a bass horn, 
made of wood; clarionet. 

Edward R. Talbot — clarionet played by William B. Whit- 
marsh; bass viol, tuning fork, and psalm book, used by C'apt. Seth 
Talbot; violin, played by Frank Whitmarsh; communion service, 
given by Joseph Atwood; these articles were used in the Dighton 
church, when Elder Gushee was pastor; ancient pistol used in the 
Revolutionary War. 

William Z. Whitmarsh — cane, made from the stick which 
"stout" George Briggs used to successfully defend himself from a 
]5ress gang, in Havana. Cuba. 

C. C. Andrews— English verge watch. 

Mrs. E. F. Andrews — linen, woven over 100 years ago. 

Mrs. Caroline Atwood — portrait of her grandfather, Col. 
Robert Elliot, painted by Copley, in 1765; Elliot and Coggeshall 
coat of arms; three pictures over 100 years old. 

Mrs. George E. Gooding — clock reel of great age. 

Mrs, George B. Townsend — the first china cup and saucer 
used in Berkley. 

Mrs. L. P. King — ancient documents; bowl; chair. 

Mrs. M. A. Trafton — ancient documents; cup and saucer: 
china plate; covered mug. 

Mrs. William Babbitt — ancient hall clock. 

Mrs. William Hathaway — ancient shell comb; iron mortar. 

Mrs. Edward R. Talbot — two pewter platters. 

Weston Earle — buckles; Indian pestle; arrow points. 

Chandler Bro's — candlesticks 250 years old; ancient tongs. 

George A. Shove — fourteen pictures, entitled, -Landing of the 
Northmen; A Cove in Autumn; Design for a Sanitarium; A Large 
Allowance; Schr. Oliver Ames, with a free wind; Waiting for a 
Breaker; Earlv October; Interior of a Glass-covered Street; The 



DONATION AND LOAN EXHIl'.lT. 213 

River Hank; After Sunset at Sea; H. H.; A Farm Lane; Coach 
Dog; Aglae and Boniface. 

Whitman Chase — carved chest 200 years old, two cups and 
saucers, sugar bowl, pitcher, plate;-these articles formerly belonged 
to the Doane family, of Harwich, Mass.; a powder horn, dated. 
Crown Point, July 29. 1760, formerly belonging to John Chase. 

George D. Chase — collection of ancient coins. 

Sarah Babbitt — bellows loo years old; Hax reel. 

William O. Lee — bread peel ; bed cord made from hogs 
bristles, each article over two centuries old; ancient bit. 

Sylvanus Chase — spoon mould; pair of cards; canteen used 
in war of 18 12; ancient plane, and saw. 

S. M. Smith — looking glass 125 years old. 

'l-jie Rose-Fami — china tea set used in 17543! the wedding of 
Sylvester Atwood and Ruth Church, the youngest granddaughter 
of Capt. Benjamin Church; china which belonged to Mrs. Eliza- 
beth Atwood, wife of Joseph Atwood, gent.; a table which be- 
longed to the same; a rapier left in the house of Joseph Atwood 
bv a Tory officer; pudding spoon, made with jack knife by Thomas 
Rose, while in Dartmouth Prison; linen wheel of 1778; iron dogs 
of 1758; silver spoons of 1700; old documents 1648 to i/oo; an- 
cient window and shutters. 

i:aston. 

Miss P. H. Reed — pipe box, and tobacco tongs, 100 years old, 
formerly owned and used by Rev. William Reed; tinder box; Latin 
Crammar, 1767; pewter porringer 75 years old; sermons by Cotton 
Mather and others, 1695-6. 

Miss A. H. Reed — the ITniversal Spelling Book, 75 years old; 
pewter porringer. 

Miss L. E. Gilmore — a Bible 1715; Voung Ladies" Accidence. 
1804; pewter platter; two pewter basins: two pewter porringers: 
pair of iron andirons; three crane hooks; iron pot; two pewter 
plates; iron candlestick: ivory and shell snuff box, 100 years old. 

Mrs. Richard Hunt — iron skillet, sugar bowl, tea pot, each 
150 years old; pewter basin 125 years old; glass salt cellar over 
100 vears old. 



2 14 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CKLEI5KATION. 

Daniel 1). Wheaton — tongs, for turning steak before an open 
lire. 

W. H. Lothrop — a rule used in the Revolution, by Capt. 
Elisha Harvey. 

Edward I). Williams — flint lock musket, with bayonet, 175 
years old, used in French war, by Mr. James Dean; cartridge 
box 175 vears old; sword, saddle bags, horse pistol cases, each 
over 150 years old; teapot, sugar bowl, creamer, each 150 years 
old; wooden skimmer and ladle; a pitcher 175 years old, used for 
Hip, by Mr. Thomas Williams, tavern keeper on the Bay road, 
Easton; book of votes, belonging to the Taunton North Purchase 
Company, begun in 1664. All these articles came from the oldest 
house in Easton, built in 17 15. 

'Mrs. Bernard Alger — a piggin, over 100 years old; pair of 
snuffers and tray; an embroidered bed spread, designed and 
wrought over 100 years ago, by her aunt, Miss Vesta Howard, who 
became the wife of Dr. Samuel Guild; the Hax of which this is 
made, was grown, spun, woven, and dyed, on the farm of Roland 
Howard, Esq., of Easton. 

Rev. William L. Chatitin — Interleaved .Mmanack. 1754, used 
by Rev. George Farrar, of Easton, as a diary. 

Charles H. Reed — a Yankee Baker. 

Mrs. O. J. Gilniore — iron pot; glass mug; string of gf)l(l beads; 
canteen of Easton Light Infantry: copy of "Columbian Centinel." 
Jan. 14, 1797; Heliotype likeness of her grandmother. Mrs. ( )iive 
( Poole) Reed, wife of Rev. William Reed, pastor of the churcli in 
Easton from 1781 to 1806. 

N. W. Perry — a lialf hour glass. So years old; ll.mcdck 
writing; watch, owned by Lieut. James Leonard, about 16S0. 

Mrs. William White — tinder box, sun dial, eagle, scarf, c;t( li 
over a century old; continental money $30, 113 years old. 

Guilford White — sash; Bible Dictionary, 1622. 

William Hosworth — samplers; almanac, iSoi; ancient deed. 

Mrs. Charles Wade — Indian pipe; cape. 

Mrs. E. A. Fobes — book; warrant. 

Ross Heel Co. — Louis XX heel. 



DOXATIOX AM) LOAN EXHIBIT. 215 

Mrs. Clara Ijonney — va.se 150 years old. 
'I'hc office of ( ). Ames & Sons — bust of Oliver Ames, ist. 
(). A. Ames — portrait of his father, Hon. Oakes Ames. 
Mrs. (). Ames— portrait of Oliver Ames, 2d. 
Paul Dean Lodge — portrait of Rev. Paul Dean, from whom 
the Lodge received its name. 

KAVXHA.M. 

Mrs. B. Franklin Dean — portraits of Sheriff Horatio Leonard 
and Dr. Zephaniah Leonard; military cap: canteen: gun and sword 
used in the War of Revolution. 

Miss Louisa Snow — portraits of George the Third and his 
Queen; a Nelson pitcher; ancient hymn book. 

Alfred Gilmore — continental money, hymn book, phite. 

Mrs. Cassander Gilmore — child's suit, fancy box, powder case. 

Mrs. Ira Dickerman — Indian pestle: pewter platter; a wooden 
shovel made by an Indian. 

Nathan H. Fidler — writing desk, chair, pewter plate: each 
of these were once the property of Gov. \Vm. Bradford. 

Mrs. Jairus Gushee — tea cup and saucer 100 years old: coffee 
cup brought from England 150 years ago. 

Mrs. Betsey Leach — spectacles, apron, sampler. 

Dea. Samuel Jones — Indian relics. 

Frederic W. Gushee — boy's jacket, feather cape, shell cunib. 
snufl' box; a George Washington pitcher. 

F. Carey Andrews — pitch pipe. 

W'i'llard T. Copeland — lady's busk. 

Nathan W. Shaw — journal of Revolutionary War: lace, cup 
;ind saucer, two punch bowls, two old portraits, ancient book; cow 
bell over 200 years old. 

Miss Harriet Robinson — a leaf from a bible that was brought 
over in the Mayflower; towel made 1740. 

William Caswell — a carved whale's tooth. 

Melvin Leonard — silver creamer, given by Paul Leonard to 
his bride 150 years ago. 

Mrs. Crocker — wedding vest of Deacon Elijah Leonard. 



2l6 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEISR ATION. 

Mrs. M. J. Hammond — weddinjj; dress and slices of Mrs. 
Elijah Leonard, 150 years old. 

Mrs. Alice King — christening blanket over 200 years old, an 
heirloom of the Leonard family. 

Mrs. Chauncy Washburn — embroidered blanket 150 years 
old, formerly belonging to Mrs. Barzillai King; ancient wedding 
slippers; sash formerly worn by Gen. Cromwell Washburn. 

Mrs. D. D. White — pitcher formerly belonging to the W ash- 
burn family. 

Miss Mary Hall — ancient bellows. 

Mrs. W. S. Briggs — ancient sampler. 

Capt. Charles T. Robinson — portrait of his father, (h.irles 
Robinson. 

Miss Susie King — drawing of the house erected about 1750. 
by Stephen Shaw. 

Mrs. Alcott J. Lincoln — $3 continental niouey; ninepence of 

'7 — 

Mr. William Wilbur — two pewter platters. 

Mrs. Bradford Wilbur — papers printed in 1798 1801: alman- 
ack of 1770. 

Elijah M. Richmond — homespun linen handkerchief. 

Seth 1). Wilbur — hatchet over 100 years old; wedding waist- 
coat over 100 years old, made and worn by Seth Dean. 

Mrs. Harlow — ancient pitcher and pewter plate. 



Mrs. Nathan Bowen — ancient portrait; two siK'er spoons for- 
merly the property of Col. Thomas Gilbert; tea pot, creamer, 
sugar bowl, pair knee buckles, muslin cap, collar, silk bonnet, each 
over 100 years old; two documents of 1760 and 1769, respectiveh'; 
almanack, 1785. 

Mrs. Edward Lyon — a plate and tea pot. brought from Eng- 
land 200 years ago. 

Mrs. William IJabbitt — a wall basket fornierl\' belonging to 
the grandmother of Lucy King; canteen bottle carried through 
the Revolutionary War l)y Joseph French. 



DONATION AND LOAN EXHIRIT. 2 1/ 

James F. Clark — ancient sword. 

Congregational Church — communion cup given to the lirst 
church in Berkley, over loo years ago, by Mr. Israel Tisdale, of 
Taunton. 

Mrs. Alfred Boardman — shell comb, pitcher, cup and saucer, 
formerly belonging to her grandmother, Mrs. Lucinda (Richmond) 
Woodward; bead watch chain formerly the property of her father, 
David Woodward, Jr., and a last and pair of shoes made by him at 
the age of seven years; a punch glass once owned by her grand- 
father, Capt. Asa Arnold; string of gold beads and a needle book 
formerly belonging to her grandmother, Mrs. Jemima (Hodges) 
Arnold. 

Isaac E. French — pewter goblet, spoon mould, cheese knife, 
flint lock pistol, a wooden lock; Indian relics found in Berkley. 

Mrs. Charles Wade — two pitchers, bowl, teapot, bullet case, 
each over a century old. 

Mrs. Simeon Briggs — fruit tray too years old formerly belong- 
ing to Miss Mary Richmond. 

Mrs. Elijah Wilbur — two candlesticks 125 and So years old 
respectively; china plate 80 years old. 

Dexter Babbitt — pair of bellows 100 years old. 

Mrs. Elkanah Pierce — homespun beci quilt, long cloak, table 
spoon made from silver dollars each over a century old; military 
hat 75 years old; penmanship of 1810; pair of slippers 50 years 
old; two bags, two collars, shell comb, embroidery, cap, hand 
painted ribbon, teapot, sugar bowl, cups and saucers, cake plate; 
creamer 66 years old: book of 1765. 

Mrs. Sumner D. Briggs — a plate 100 years old. 

Mrs. Jethro Ashley — pitcher and punch glass 100 years old. 

Mrs. Daphne Crane — inkstand owned formerly by Luther 
Crane; specimens of the penmanship of Hon. Samuel French, at 
the age of 75 years; weaver's shuttle 150 years old. 

Mrs. E. B. Babbitt — a miniature vessel, outside shell of cas- 
tana nut, two pewter porringers, platter, basin, and two plates each 
over 100 years old. 

Mrs. Henry Hathaway — red circular cloak formerly the prop- 
erty of Mrs. James ^^'ebste^. 



2 16 OUAKTEK MII.LEXMAL CELEliKATlON. 

Mrs. M. L. Corey — sun glass owned by her father, Capt. Tam- 
erlane Burt; lace veil formerly belonging to her mother, Mrs. Phebe 
(Crane) Burt; tea set, two very old pepper bottles, pitchers; a plate 
150 years old; lamp mat embroidered by Mrs. Anna (Williams) 
Dean, daughter of Gideon and Abigail (Burt) Williams. 

Miss Nancy I. Burt — case of bottles brought from the West 
Indies by her father, Capt. Tamerlane Burt. 

Giles L. Leach — sword made by a native of Sandwich Islands: 
large number of Indian relics. 

Mrs. Giles L. Leach — eye glasses and warming pan 150 years 
old, formerly the property of Rev. Samuel Tobey, first minister of 
Berkley; a sermon preached by same in 1737; pitcher 110 years 
old imported by and bearing the monogram of the same; ancient 
watch; a sermon by Rev. Ephraim judson; pewter plaller, plate, 
porringer, old singing book. 

George H. Bowers — picture of the "Brig Commerce, " painted 
in Italy, in 1792; portrait of Capt. Jonathan Bowers, painted in 
Holland in 1808. 

Maria Bowers — trunk 200 years old. 

Annie M. Bowers — piece of a wedding dress. 1744: chatehiinc 
bag, salve, cake basket, pickle dish, bobbin block. 

Mrs. George Strange — dictionary of 1788 formerly belonging 
to Thomas Strange; skein of homespun linen thread. 

Mrs. Andrew Coville — portrait of her father. Joseph Haskins: 
tea pot 150 years old. 

Mrs. H. A. Dean — portrait of Dea. Thomas C. Dean; cu|i 
and saucer 160 years old; copy of the "Boston Gazette,'" 173,1; 
silver porringer 125 years old; pair of scales used by Dr. Bullock; 
tea spoon 150 years old; cup and saucer, and puncii bowl each over 
a century old; table spoon 93 years old. 

Mrs. Thomas C. Dean — three plates formerly belonging to 
Sally and Lydia Hodges, grand daughters of William Hodges, who 
came to America about 1633 and settled in Taunton before 1643. 

Mrs. Julius Haskins — platter; plate, bunch of Hax. 

Mrs. Alfred Pierce — china teapot. 

Miss KUen Burt — two china plates 150 years old; skirl em- 
l)roidered t^o vears ago bv Mrs. Matikla (Burl) Burt, wife of 



IJOXATIOX AND LOAN EXHIBIT. 2I9 

Thomas Burt; skirt embroidered 150 years ago by Mrs. Rel)ecca 
(Macomber) Burt, wife of Edmund Burt; pair of slippers, silver 
candlesticks and two work bags owned by Mrs. Rebecca (Burt) 
Burt, wife of Nathaniel Burt; pair of knee buckles, shoe buckles, 
sleeve buttons and silk stockings formerly owned by Capt. Edmund 
Burt; a coin of 1778; sugar tongs 100 years old; two tea spoons 
200 years old. 

Mrs. Thomas Dean — tlax wheel 100 years old: hand reel: a 
Bible of 1794. 

Mrs. Rhoda Hathaway — sugar bowl once the property of Mrs. 
Rhoda (Hathaway) Nichols; a pitcher owned by Mrs. Betsey 
(Weaver) Dean; a tea pot belonging to Mrs. Annie (Gifford) Shove, 
wife of Theophilus Shove. 

Samuel S. Pierce — wooden plate 200 years old formerly I he 
property of Martin and Wessiah Fierce; pair of brass candlesticks; 
watch case 200 years old owned by Enoch Boyce; pipe box for- 
merly belonging to (ieorge Shove, a grandson of Rev. George 
Shove of Taunton. 

Mrs. Samuel S. Pierce — infant's shoes worn b\- Jeremiah 
Pierce over 100 years ago; wedding suit 75 years old worn by Mrs. 
Jeremiah Pierce. 

M ANSI" I ELL). 

Elkanah Hall — sermons by Cotton Mather, 1690; sermon by 
Rev. Joseph Palmer on the death of Rev. Roland Green; sermon 
preached at the ordination of Rev. Pitt Clarke, in 1793: Scripture 
passages acrostically arranged by Miss Abby Doggett; two copies 
of •• J:)edham Gazette," Mar. 25th and April ist. 1S14: copy of 
"The Yankee, " Apr. i, 1814; silver bowl 225 years old, brought 
to this country by George Watson; a picture of the oldest house 
in Mansfield, built about 1700 by Dea. Nicholas While. 

Mrs. Elizabeth Green — portrait of Rev. Roland Green. 

Mrs. Robert G. Parker — mourning piece. 



Mrs. M. Day Kimball — scales used and buckles worn by 
Nalhaniel Morton in i8th century; two silver spoons and siUer 



220 OUAKTKK MILLENNIAL CKLKHK ATION. 

ladle beIonj2;ing to the Morton family: the belt, epaulettes and 
stirrups, worn by Gov. Marcus Morton, at his inauguration, in 1840. 
Hon. Samuel C. Cobb — portraits of his grandfathers, Gen. 
l)a\id Cobb, and Hon. Samuel Crocker. 

FALL KIVEK. 

Miss Mary A. Fry — a wooden sugar bowl over 150 years old. 

ISRIOGK WATER. 

Horatio B. King — sword carried by John King of Raynham, 
in the Revolutionary War; cartridge box carried by him at the 
Battle of Bennington. 

PORTLAND, MAINE. 

Mrs. VVyer Green — shoe buckles worn by her ancestor, Lieut. 
Josiah Smith, an officer in the French and Revolutionary Wars. 

I'OR r.s.Moui'H, K. I. 
Mrs. William E. Cook, wiio is in her 90th year — china cu]), 
saucer and plate each 220 years old; a wooden vegetable dish 200 
years old. 

'I"he foregoing revised list of loan exhibits has been carefully 
prepared by Mr. Isaac W. W^ilcox, for this book of the anniversary 
celebration under the supervision of the committee assigned the 
interesting duties. 

J. W. D. Hail. Chairman. 



Rl'.l'OKl ()|- C().\L\MTll-:i-: ().\ DONAIIO.X ANH LOAN I.X 1 1 I lil 1. 

The committee, appointed by the joint committee of the 25olh 
anniversary, for the loan exhibit in Historical hall, assembled on 
the afternoon of May 6th, to prepare for the entertainment during 
the celebration, and comprised, after a few additions and changes, 
as follows : John W. D. Hall, Rev. S. Hopkins Kmery. John 1'. 
Montgomery, Mrs. R. Henry Hall, Mrs. Joseph J. Cooper, Mrs. 
Elisha T. Jackson, Mrs. S. R. Townsend, Mrs. Nathalie E. Baylies. 
.Mrs. Charles L. Lovering, Mrs. Henry G. Reed, .Mrs. Henry M. 
l>overing, .Mrs. Fred. L. I'ish. .Miss Adeline S. liavlies. .Miss 



nONATrOX .\\[1 LOAN EXHIBIT. 22 1 

Sarah B. Williams, Mrs. George Brabrook, Mrs. John Paull, Mrs. 
Walter J. Clemson, Mrs. Frederick Mason, Mrs. Frank L. Fish, 
Mrs. Joseph Dunbar, Mrs. Joseph Philbrick, all of Taunton; Miss 
Harriot Augusta Newcomb, Norton ; Mrs. Ebenezer Andrews and 
Mrs. John A. Rose, Dighton; Mrs. Olive J. Gilmore and Mrs. 
John O. Dean, Easton ; Miss Amy Leonard and Mrs. Alcott 
J. Lincoln, Raynham ; Mrs. diaries Corey and Mrs. Alfred Board- 
man, Berkley. 

After a brief encouraging address by the chairman, the ladies 
were assigned to duty in the wards and adjacent towns. For 
three weeks they devoted their faithful services in soliciting do- 
nation and loan co-operations in hundreds of residences, resulting 
in the most interesting and successful exhibition of the kind ever 
witnessed in Taunton, surprising to all visitors and to themselves 
in the vast accumulation, varied extent and value of the attractions. 

Two lines of portraits of revered men and women, passed 
away, were arranged upon the walls of Historical Hall, while eight 
glass cases were filled with contributions of choice articles of every 
description, tastefully arranged — ancient books, silver ware, rare 
gems of virtu, crockery, coins, heirlooms and keepsakes of his- 
toric interest, which had been treasured from family to family for 
years or centuries, embroideries of unique patterns, photographs 
and medallions of those cherished in memory. Also a table the 
length of the hall well filled with numerous small portraits, pic- 
tures and rare articles of antiquarian curiosity, origin and interest. 

The old-fashioned kitchen, improvised in the basement. Asso- 
ciated Charities room, by Miss Newcomb, of Norton, assisted by 
Mrs. Gilmore, of Easton, Mrs. Corey and Mrs. Boardman of 
Berkley, with its ancient fireplace, its crane, "pot hooks and tram- 
mels," unique furniture, chairs and cases, made up an interesting 
attraction for the young and old, many of whom were surprised at 
the specimens of household implements of the mothers of a cen- 
tury ago. 

For the careful arrangement of the loans, numbering a thou- 
sand or more, b)'- the ladies, and to their patient attendance and 
supervision during the four days' throng of eight or ten thousand 



222 OUARTKK MILLENNIAL CELERRATION. 

visitors, imist he accorded the gratifying success of the exhibition 
and entertainment : and it was a cause of congratulation to the 
contributors, to the committee and all concerned, that, of the 
numerous articles on exhibition, none have been lost or missing. 
It was an auspicious auxiliary of the natal celebration of Taun- 
ton, long to be remembered by participants and visitors. 
In behalf of the committee, 

John W. D. Hall. Chairman. 



Kxi'LANATOKY NOTE.— The Ward Committees of Taunton, appointed to solicit, 
.Tjid to liiive ohaigc of tlie various exliiliits, did not in every ease confine themselve.'^ 

stviitly to ward lines ; tliis a<'<'Oiints for :i few of the exliiliits liein^- rejiresented in 
adjactMit wards, citiicr than their own. 



J 




ANCIENT LEONARD MANSION "HOUSE OF SEVEN GABLES' 
(it Cniit. James Leonard, in Taunton 1700— Raynhara 1731. 





1/A 



Flflfc"Hf 







uL^ o«v . ^.^ uwv. ED HOUSE 
Opposite the First lion Works of Taunton, 10.30— Kaynhani 1731, 



[The al)iivc illustrations aratVom Elisha Clarke Leonard's paper on "Ancient Iron Works and 
-eoiiara Miiisious," Collections No. i, Ukl Colony Historical Society, kindly loaned for tins book.] 



MEMORIAL TABLETS. 



Tablets commemorative of historic persons and places 
were erected prior to the 250th Anniversary Celebration, as 
follows : 

IN TAUNTON. 

Site of the First Meeting House in Taunton, erected prior to 
1647. Tablet near the west entrance to the Unitarian Church 
grounds. 

Home of Richard Williams. 1637 — 1692. On the estate 152 
Dean street. 

Home of George Hall, 1637 — 1669. On the estate of his de- 
scendants, 220 years, now Mrs. Mary R. Washburn's, 128 Dean 
street. 

Home of John Deane, 1637 — 1660. On the estate of his de- 
scendants 229 years, now Benjamin T. Kinnicutt's, 74 Dean 
street. 

Home of Walter Deane, 1637 — 1693. On estate of Samuel 
C. Morey, Dean street. 

Home of John Pole. 1637 — i^'.S9- C)n Morey's block. Main 
street. 

Home of John Richmond, 1637 — 1664. On estate of Jona- 
than Richmond, a descendant. East Taunton. 

Home of Rev. \\'illiani Hook, tirst minister of Taunton, 
1638 — 1644. On City Hall, opposite site of first meeting house. 



224 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

Home of Rev. Nicholas Street, associate and second minister 
of Taunton, 1638 — 1659. On premises of William Henry Fox. 
corner Spring and Summer streets. 

Homestead of Miss Elizabeth Pole, 1639 — 1653. On build- 
ing of Josephus William Leonard Wilbur, 93 Main street. 

Hoiue of 'I'homas Lincoln, 1652 — 1683. On L. ]'. West's 
store. 

Home of FJizabeth Pole. 1653 — 1654. On estate of James 
H. Dean, 94 Dean street corner of Winter street. 

Home of Shadrach Wilbore, 1656 — 1697. On estate of 
( harles L. Lovering, 10 Dean street. 

Home of John Reed, 1680 — 1697. On land of Henry O. 
Reed. In possession of the Reed family since 1680, near resi- 
dence of Edwin Reed, Highland street. 

Homestead of Elder Henry Hodges, 1681 — 1717. <^n en- 
gine house in Ward 2. 

Home of Augustine Cobb, 1683 — 1717. On Tremont street, 
about four miles west of Green. 

Home of Richard Stephens. 1683 — 1722. On store of L. B. 
West, Winthrop street. 

Home of Rev. Samuel Danforth, 1688 — 1727. Corner of Wash- 
ington and Park street. 

Home of Rev. Thomas Clap, 1729 — 1738. On grounds of 
("apt. Timothv Gordon, Dean street. 

Home of Hon. Samuel White, 1739 — 1769. At residence of 
(apt. William H. Phillips, on White street 

Home of Rev. Josiah Crocker. 1742^1774. In southeast 
corner of .Mount Pleasant Cemetery. 

Home of Brig. (ien. Geo. Godfrey, 1756 — 1793. Near resi- 
dence of Miss Angeline Godfrey, Tremont street. 

Home of Nicholas Baylies, 1757 — 1807. Opposite North 
Dighton Foundry office. 



MEMORIAL TABLETS. 22$ 

Home of Brig. Gen. fames Williams, 1768 — 1826. On lane 
leading to residence of Mrs. N. E. Baylies, County street. 

Home of Rev. Caleb Barnum, 1769 — 1776. On building of 
Massachusetts Trust Company, corner of Main and Lincoln 

streets. 

Home of Robert Treat Paine, 1769 — 1781. On front of 
Taunton National Bank. 

Home of Samuel Leonard, 1776 — 1807. On his late mansion 
house Bay street. 

Home of Judge Seth Padleford, 1777 — 1810. East of the 
Court House. 

Homestead of Gen. David Cobb, 1779 — 1796. On City Lot, 
west of Taunton Green. 

Home of Rev. Ephraim Judson, 1782 — 1790. On homestead 
of Miss Georgianna Wheaton, High street, south of St. Thomas' 
Church. 

Home of Rev. John Pipon, 1803 — 182 1. On estate of A. E. 
Swasey, High street. 

Home of Samuel Crocker, 1818 — 1843. C)n lawn front of 
Samuel C. Cobb's residence. 

Home of Charles Richmond, 1825 — 1843. O" ^^^ Barton 
estate Summer street. 

Home of Francis Baylies, 1836 — 1852. On Taunton resi- 
dence of Judge Edmund H. Bennett. 

Mount Pleasant Cemetery, donated by Samuel Crocker in 
1836. In rear of Samuel L. Crocker's burial lot. 

Tablets were prepared for Henry Andrews, 1637 — ^652; 
William Phillips, 1637 — 1654; William Parke, 1637 — 1661; 
James Walker, 1643 — 1691 ; Rev. George Shove, (3d minister of 
Taunton,) 1665 — 1687; but the descendants of the above have 
been unable to locate their last residence and the Committee 
await the information. 



226 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

The Committee on Historic i^laccs and Memorial Tab- 
lets in Norton made an extended and interestini;- report as 
follows : 

[Report of Committee on Moimmeiits.] 

To the Seh'ctinoi of the Town of lYorton. 

(Gentlemen: — At the annual meetino; of the Town in April 
last there was chosen a committee of three viz: Sam'l A. Chapin. 
W. U. VVitherell and William A. Sturdy, to locate and erect three 
monuments with suitable inscriptions thereon regarding "'I'he 
First House," "The First Church," and "The Chartley Iron 
Works, " erected in said Town of Norton. 

This action was prompted by the occurrence on the 4th of 
June of the 250th Anniversary of the Settlement of Taunton, of 
which Norton was originally a portion, and became the '"First 
Daughter" of Taunton to set up for herself, in 171 1. Your com- 
mittee have performed the duties assigned them and beg leave to 
report as follows : 

The monument for "The First House" is placed on the east 
side of the " Bay road " leading from Taunton to Winnecunnet 
on the east side of the Pond, and distant fifty feet from the Pond 
and eleven hundred feet north of the bridge at the outlet of said 
Pond. This bridge is the dividing line between the towns of Nor- 
ton and Taunton. 

The slab erected is a blue slate stone (from a neighboring 
hill) II feet long, 28 in. wide and 6 in. thick, set in the ground 
four feet, and six feet out of the ground, with a smooth natural sur- 
face on the front face to receive the inscription. The top is shaped 
like a gable roof. 

The inscription is as follows: — "Site of the First House in 
Norton. Built by William Witherell, A. 1). 1669. Erected' by 
order of the Town A. D. 1889. " Here this pioneer lived with 
" Dorothy " his wife and three sons, William, Jr., 19 years of age 
and John of 5 years, and Ephraim and a daughter "Dorothy. " 

Here they lived amid the discomforts of pioneer life and tlu- 
dangers of the Indian Wars under King Philip, in which "Sargean^ 



I 



MEMORIAL TABLETS. 22/ 

Witherell " took an active part and suffered severely for a long 
period from wounds received in the great battle at Narragansett 
Swamp. For which brave service the Court made him a grant of 
land and hfteeu pounds sterling. Here they kept the first "public 
house" in Norton, and in 1685 he was licensed to "retail cider, 
heer and stiong liquors. " 

The depression of the old cellar is now plainly to be seen with 
scattered stone and pieces of brick and mortar. This location was 
a choice one for a pioneer. The beautiful and enchanting Pond 
ga\e them an abundance of water and fish and ducks. The seven 
generations of Witherells scattered all around us, testify to the 
vigor of this old pioneer race. 

The monument erected to mark the site of the "Chartley Iron 
Works," situate on Stony Brook, near the old mansion, built by 
Captains Thomas and James Leonard more than 200 years ago, 
about one mile and a half west of Norton Centre, is a slab of pol- 
ished Quincy granite 26 in. long, 16 1-2 in. wide and 6 in. thick. 
It is set in the brick wall of the jewelry factory owned by Wm. A. 
Sturdy and occupied by Engley, Witherell & Co. 

The inscription is as follows : — " Site of Chartley Iron Works. 
Built 1696 by Thomas and James Leonard. This Tablet ordered 
by the Town of Norton 1889." 

The records of Norton state that these works were in opera- 
tion for a hundred years or more, and brought great wealth to the 
Leonard family. The antiquarian may here find material for much 
rertection as this panorama of 200 years passes before him. 

The old "Iron Forge" turned out its bars of iron (in those 
days when coin was scarce) which were made a "legal tender" 
for the payment of taxes and other public dues, and were also 
used in making bequests and bridal gifts. 

Now the Iron Forge has disappeared and given place to the 
manufacture of gold and silver ornaments, which are esteemed as 
things of greater beauty than "bars of iron." And the old bell 
which hung in the belfry (now in place) on the carriage house near 
the old Leonard mansion then rang out notes of human bondage 
and called the slaves to their enforced work, and afterward it 
pealed the glad sound of freedom to all in the state, this being the 



228 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

last locality to break the shackles. That same old bell may now 
be seen and heard in the tower on Oliver H. Lane's great barn near 
Chartley, where its welcome ring calls the laborers to their meals. 

The monument for "The First Church" is also of Quincy 
granite, 7 feet long, 18 in. square, rustic finish, the corners are 
hammered and finished, the top is rounded from each side and fin- 
ished. 

The inscription on one side finely polished is as follows: — 
" Site of First Church in Norton. Built A. D. 1710. This post 
ordered by the Town 1889. " 

It stands three and a half feet above the ground and is near 
the centre of the common (enclosed by an iron fence) at Norton 
Centre. 

A second church was built in 1753 about ten feet distant, 
westerly, from the first church, and was supplanted in 1835 by the 
church now occupied on the south side of the common. 

The first three pastorates of these churches are remarkable 
for the great length of time covered by them. 

The first minister was Rev. Joseph Avery from 17 10 to 1748 
— 38 years. He married Miss Sarah Newman, of Rehoboth. at the 
beginning of his pastorate. 

The first parsonage, a hundred yards west of the first church, 
still remains in good order. 

Mr. Avery died in Norton, April 23, 1770, aged 83 years. 

Rev. Joseph Palmer was the second pastor, from 1752 to 1791 
— 38 years. 

Rev. Pitt Clarke was the third pastor, from 1793 to 1835 — 42 
years. He died in Norton, Feb'y 13, 1835, ^ged 72 years. 

These three pastorates make out the round period of 108 years. 

Your Committee desire to call attention to "The First Bury- 
ing Ground " used by the pioneer settlers of our Town. 

It lies east of the site of the "First House " and distant there- 
from 193 yards, very near the edge of the cranberry marsh, it 
commences at the fence, is 60 feet in width and extends back east- 
erly no feet. Across the west end there are four rows (ontaining 



MEMORIAL TABLETS. 229 

from 35 to 40 graves without any stones or inscriptions to tell us 
the names of the buried ones. 

It is supposed that here lie William Witherell the first settler 
and his family, and also those who were killed in the early Indian 
wars. 

5th Row. — Here are only two names inscribed. Reuel Deane, 
1829, and his wife, 1839. 

6th Row. — Only rough stones, no inscriptions or dates, but 
Mr. W. Dexter Witherell states that his great grandfather, Henry 
Witherell, and his wife and their three children were buried in 
that row. 

7th Row. — Only one name inscribed. That of Reuel Deane, 
Jr., 1805. 

8th Row. — Jesse Lincoln and his relatives. 

9th Row. — David Lincoln died 1822 age 95 years, and his 
f.unily of three or four persons; also the grave of the second wife 
of the old grandfather Witherell. 

loth Row. — Daniel Woodward and family of seven or eight 
persons. 

This burying-ground was abandoned a long time ago for sev- 
eral reasons : 

First. — It was not more than 4 or 5 feet higher than the marsh 
and the water came into the graves. 

Second. — No conveyance was ever made to set it apart as a 
public cemetery. 

Third.— It was a quarter of a mile distant from a public road, 
and could only be reached by passing through private grounds. 
This burying-place (in a large open pasture) is without a fence or 
protection from the tramping of sheep or cattle ranging in the field. 

( )ur worthy historian, Rev. George Faber Clark, uses this im- 
pressive language regarding a burying-ground similarly neglected. 
"Il presents a most gloomy aspect and a melancholy commentary 
upon the public spirit of the town, and we hope for the honor and 
credit of the town that these habitations of the dead will not re- 
main long in their present poverty stricken condition. " 



230 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELERRATION. 

The field next to the road, where the first house stood, belon^^s 
to isilas VV. Lincoln, and the field adjoining where the graves are, 
belongs to the heirs of Sumner W. Lincoln or to Lloyd S. Lincoln, 
who will undoubtedly give a title to this lot 60 feet by 1 10 feet in 
size. 

Your committee will urge the town to make an appropriation 
of $100 toward enclosing this "first burying-ground " with suitable 
stone posts and bars of tube iron. 

In conclusion, your committee will state that the amount ap- 
propriated by the Town for these monuments was $50, and the 
amount expended by the committee was about $110. 

Respectfully submitted, 

Sam'l a. Chapin, 

W. D. WlTHERELL. 

William A. Siurdv. 

DIGHTON TAIiLETS. 

Home of Thomas Coram, 1699 — 1703. Front of residence 
of George A. Shove. 

Site of First Church, 1709 — 1765. Front of present I'iist 
Church. 

Home of Col. Sylvester Richmond, 1735 — 1765. On Rich- 
mond Hill, south of Lower Four Corners. 

Home of Hodijah Baylies, 1787 — 1843. At residence of 
Charles N. Simmons. 

RAVNHAM TABLET.S. 

Site of Taunton Iron Works. — First in Old Colony. On site 
of old Forge. 

Home of James Leonard. Senior. 1664 — 1691. ( )n Halha- 
way's land, bank of Forge pond. 

Home of Major Thomas Leonard, 1664 — 1713. On J. P. 
Spinney's place, opposite old Forge site. 



/ 



MEMORIAL TABLETS. 23 I 

Home of ("apt. Philip King, 1683 — 17 10. On Edward B. 
King's place. 

Home of Capt. James Leonard, Gable House, 1700 — 1726. 
On \\w\. S. Briggs' place, near the road. 

Home of Capt. Israel Washburn, 17 18 — 1796. Front of the 
old mansion, Gushee and Washburn streets. 

BERKLEY TABLETS. 

Home of John Hathway, 1658 — 1705. On land purchased of 
Rev"s Nicholas Street and William Hook, now called "The Farms." 

Site of First Church, 1737 — 1800. South of the Common, 
west side of the road where the third meeting house now stands. 

Home of Rev. Samuel Tobey, 1737 — 1781. On land now 
owned by Elizabeth Wilbur east of the Common. 

Home of Judge Samuel Tobey, 1768 — 1823. On land owned 
by Stephen A. Burt, north of the Common. His house now 
standing in good repair. 

Home of Rev. Thomas Andros, 1799 — 1849. ^" X'^v^A of his 
son Milton Andros, the last estate in the town of Berkley on the 
road to Freetown. His house still standing. 

MANSFIELD TABLETS. 

Cobbler's Corner. — 1640. Northern angle of Old Taunton, on 
estate of the late Daniel Fisher, off Willow street. 

First Settler, Thomas Brintnell, — 1664. On West street, near 
Fo.xborough line, on estate of Miss Calista Brintnell. a descendant 
of sixth generation. 

Home of Nicholas White, 1703 — 1743. On Hall street. 
Charles E. Hall's residence, descendant, seventh generation. 

First Grist Mill, — 1719. On Willow street, near the shop of 
r. W. Cabot & Son. 

First Meeting House, — 1731. South of the Green. 



232 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEHRATION. 

Home of Rev. Ebenezer White, 1737 — 1761. On South Main 
street, near Joseph D. Leonard's residence. 

Home of Col. Ephraim Leonard, 1739 — 1786. ( )n Mill street. 
East Mansfield. House still standing, owned by George W. 
Thomas. 

Home of Rev. Roland Green, 1761 — 1808. On West street, 
near Francis A. DeWolf's residence. 



APPKNDIX. 



APPENDIX A. 

[Page 31.] 

East Taunton was formerly called Squawbetty, a name prob- 
ably derived from an Indian squaw called Betty, whose Indian 
name was Assowetough, unto whom a tract of land was conveyed 
in 1673, by old Walluspaquin and William Walluspaquin and 
which on her death she devised to her daughter Mercey. (12 Ply. 
Col. Rec. p. 235.) The above named Betty was sister of David 
Hunter and wife of John Eechee of Titecutt, and on David's 
death without children, his brothers George and Joseph, "being 
convinced that David on his deathbed desired that his sister Betty 
should have some of his lands, " made a partition with her, by deed 
dated March 11, 1697, whereby she was to have that part of said 
lands "next unto Taunton bounds as far up by the great river as 
to ye place where said David Hunter's upermost ffence came to sd 
River, to fence in ye neck then called David's neck. " This divi- 
sion is recorded in XII Ply. Col. Rec. p. 243, in these words: — 

To all Christian people to whome these presents shall come Georjje 
Hunter & Joseph Hunter ye sons of Thomas Hunter an Indian formerly 
living at Tittecut an Indian Plantation in Plimouth County Send Grcet- 
in<;- &c Know ye that whereas Josias alias Charles an Indian Sachem 
late of Mattakeessetin ye County of Plimouth deceased did in his life time 
give unto David Hunter deceased brother unto the said George & Joseph 
a Tract of Lands at Tittecutt above said as may appear by a deed vnder 
ye hand & seal of sd Josiah dated September the eighth in ye year 1680 
reference thereunto being iiad And whereas the sd David Hunter hath 
now no child surviving and said George & Joseph Hunter being con- 
vinced that their brother David on his death bed expressed himself 
so that his sister Betty, ye wife of John Eechee of sd Titecutt should 



234 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

liaue some of ye sd lands The sd Geoifre Hunter & Joseph Hunter do 
liereby for themselves and their heirs Executors & Administrators agree 
with each other and with their sister Betty ye wife of sd John Eechee 
their Executors and Administrators that ye lands given by Josias alias 
Charles unto sd David Hunter as in said deed is specified shall be & is 
by these presents divided as followeth that is to say that ye said Betty 
& her Indian heirs Executors Administrators & Assigns shall forever 
hereafter haue and hold & enjoy that part of sd land next unto Taunton 
bounds & as far up by the great river as to ye place where sd David Hun- 
ters uperniost ffence came to sd river to fence in ye neck then called 
David's neck & from thence on a direct line to ye bounds betweene 
Middleborow's land & the said Indians land bearing ye same bredth 
there as it doth at ye river and that Isaac Wanno an Indian of sd Titte- 
cutt & his Indian heirs & assigns shall forever hereafter Have & hold & 
enjoy twenty acres of land above Tittecutt greate weair <k next unto ye 
land given by said Josias unto old Peter late of sd Titecutt deceased 
said twenty acres of land to be layd as square as convenienently may be 
by ye great river side & also half ye grass in ye next neck below sd ware 
And all ye rest of sd Tittecutt lands given by sd Josias unto sd David 
Hunter by sd deed to be equally divided between George Hunter & his 
Brother Joseph Hunter sd Georg Hunter & his Indian heirs & assigns 
To have & to hold & forever to enjoy that part next to what said Betty 
hath & the sd Joseph Hunter & his Indian heirs & assigns To have & 
to Hold for ever that part next to ye land given by sd Josias unto sd 
Peter deceased except ye twenty acres for Isaac Wanno And in Testi- 
mony that ye said George Hunter & Joseph Hunter iiave divided sd 
lands as is above specified & that it is to ye good liking & acceptance of 
sd Betty & Isaac Wanno, these persons vizt ye said George Hunter. 
Joseph Hunter, Betty ye wife of John Eechee A- sd Isaac Wanno for 
themselves & their heirs executors & administrators have hereunto set 
their hands & aflixed their seals this eleventh day of March In ye year 
of Christ 160^ in ye tenth year of ye reign of William ye third over Eng- 
land Scotland ffrance & Ireland King defender of ye ftaith. 
Signed scaled and Delivered Signum X of 

In ye presence of us GEORGE HUNTER |scai| 

SAMUEL PHILLIPS, JOSEPH HUNTER lscal| 

SAMUEL LEONARD. his C mark 

ELKANAH LEONARD The i> mark of 

BETTY I seal I 

ISAAC WANNO |sc:ill 

March ye llLh i()'.t|. The above George Hunter iVr Josei)h Hunter it 

the abovcsaid Betty & Isaac Wanno acknowledged ye above written 

Instrument to be their own free act & deed 

Before me, THOMAS LEONARD justice. 



APPENDICES. 235 

Memorandum That on ye 17th day of September 1701 before me ye 
subscriber Judge of Piobate for ye County of Plimouth personally ap- 
peared the above named George Hunter and ye abovesd Betty his sister 
and Isaac Wanno & acknowledged the above written Instrument to be 
their voluntary act & deed. And I do approve thereof & order ye same 
to be recorded. 

WILLIAM BRAUFOKD 
Entered & recorded October 28th 1701 

pr SAML SPRAGUE Register. 

This Indian squaw Betty seems to have had an unenviable 
notoriety, for previously she was indicted for the murder of her 
child, and also of her husband, though not convicted of either 
charge as appears from the following record of the trials: 

At a General Court held at Plymouth, in July 1683, it was 
ordered that 

" Whereas Awashunkes, and her daughter Bettey, and lier son 
Peter, were brought to this Court on suspition of theire haueing a hand 
in the murthering of a young child the said Bettey had, this Court, on 
examination of the case, the said Awashunkes & her son and daughter 
sollemly affeirming the said child to be dead before it was born, and 
nothing as yett appeering to tlie contrary vnto the Court, they therefore 
were dismissed; yett in regard to theire ill carriage in the management 
of that affaire concerning a woman to be whippt for reporting said 
Bettey was with child, when soe it afterward appeered to be really soe, 
the Court therefore order that tlie two Indian squaes, that were appoint- 
ed to search the said Bettey, affeirming that she was not with cliild. 
wherby Sames wife was whipt for the report aforsaid, shall pay, eacli of 
them ten shillings in good current pay to the said Sames squaw; and tlic 
said Bettey to pay to her the sume of twenty shillings in good pay; and 
each of the three, viz: Awashunkes, Bettey, and Peter, twenty siiillings 
a peece towards the chaige of theire bringing and imprisonment; and 
the said Bettey to be whipt by the Indians ,at Saconett, foi- her fornica- 
tion; and the Indians there to do what they can to find out any furthci' 
grounds of suspition of said suspected murder, and if there appeer fur- 
ther just grounds of such a fact comitted by any of them, them to 
cecure and send to the English authoritie, to be dealt with all according 
to law. (Ply. Col. Rec. Vol. VI. Page 11:3.) 

At a General Court held at Plymouth, March 5, 1684, this 
order was passed : 

Att this Court an Indian s(|ua, named Betty, was indited for killing 
her husband, named Great Harry, with a stone; att the first, being ex- 



236 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

amincd by the lioneied Mr. John Walley, slice denyed it. but afterwards 
owned the fact, but said .shee did not intend to kill him, but by throw- 
ing of a stone at a bottle of liquore and missin<f the bottle, shee hitt the 
said Indian, her husband, on the side of his head, whereof bee died. 
The ease being put to the grand jury, they brought in billa very. This 
being referred to the petty jury, they found the said Bettey, Indian sijua, 
for the said fact, guilty of honiiside by misadventure. '' (Ply. Col. Kec. 
Vol. VI. Page 153.) 



APPENDIX B. 

[I'afie 32.1 
The account of this journey in Mourt's Relation, probably 
written by Winslow himself, is in these words: 

*'It seemed good to the Company for many considerations to send 
some amongst them to Massasoyt, the greatest Commander amongst the 
Savages, bordering about us; partly to know where to find them, if oc- 
casion served, as also to see their strength, discover the country, pre- 
vent abuses in their disorderly coming unto us. make satisfaction for 
some conceived injuries to be done on our parts, and to contine the 
league of Peace and Friendship between them and us. For these, and 
the like ends it pleased the Governour to make choice of Steven Hop- 
kins ik Edward Winsloe to goe unto him and having a tit opportunitie, 
by reason of a Savage called Tisquantum (that could speak English) 
comming unto us: with all expedition provided a Horse-mans coat, of 
red cotton, and laced with a slight lace for a present, that both they and 
their message might be the more acceptable amongst them. The mes- 
sage was as followeth: That forasmuch as his subjects came often and 
without feare, upon all occasions amongst us, so wee were now conn- 
unto him, and in witness of the love and good will the English beare 
unto him, the Governour hath sent him a coat, desiring that the Peace 
and Amitie that was between them and us might be continued, not that 
we feared them, but because we intended not to injure any desiring to 
live peaceably; and as with all men so especially with tliem our nearest 
neighbours. Hnt whereas liis people came very often, and very many 
together unto us, bringing for the most part their wives and children 
with them they were wellcome; yet we being but strangers as yet a( 
Patuxet, alias New Plimmouth, and not knowing how our Corne might 
prosper, we could no longer give them such entertainment as we had 
done, and as we desired still to doe, yet if he would be plea.sed to come 
himselfe, or any special friend of his desired to see us, comming from 



APPENDIX. 237 

him they would be wellcome; and to the end we might know them from 
others, our Governour had sent him a copper Chayne, desiring if any 
messenger should come from him to us, we might know it by bringing 
it with him, and hearken and give credit to his message accordingly. 
Also requesting him that such as have skins, should bring them to us, 
and that he would hinder the multitude from oppresing us with them, 
and whereas at our first arrival at Paomet (called by us Cape Cod) we 
found there Corne buried in the ground, and finding no inhabitants but 
some graves of dead new buryed, took the Corne, resolving if ever we 
could heare of any that had right thereunto, to make satisfaction to the 
full for it, yet since we understand the owners thereof were fled for 
feare of us, our desire was either to pay them with the like (luantitie of 
Corne, English meale, or any other Commodities we had to pleasuie 
them withall; requesting him that .some on of his men might signifie so 
much xnito them, and we would content him for his paines. And last of 
all our Governour requested one favor of him, which was that he would 
exchange some of their Corne for feede with us, that we might make 
tryall which best agreed with the soyle where we live. 

With these presents and message we set forward the tenth June, 
about 9 a clocke in the Morning, our guide resolving that night to rest 
at Namaschet, a Towne under Massasoyt, and conceived by us to be very 
neere, because the Inhabitants flocked so thicke upon every slight occa- 
sion amongst us; but wee found it to bee some fifteen English myles. 
On the way we found some ten or twelve men women and children, 
which had pestered us, till wee were wearie of them, perceiving that (as 
the manner of them all is) where victuall is easliest to be got. there they 
live, especially in the summer; by reason whereof our Bay affording 
many Lobsters, they resort every spring tide thither: & now returned 
with us to Namaschet. Thither we came about 3 a clocke after noone, 
the Inhabitants entertaining us with joy, in the best manner they could, 
giving us a kind of bread called by them Maizium, and the spawne of 
Shads, which then they got in abundance, in so much as they gave us 
spoones to eate them, with these they boyled mustie Acorns, but of the 
Shads we eate heartily. After this they desired one of our men to 
shoote at a Crow, complaining what damage they sustained in their 
Corne by them, who shooting some fourscore off and killing, they much 
admired it, as other shots on other occasions. After this Tisquantum 
told us wee should hardly in one day reach Pakanokick, moving us to 
goe some 8 myles further, where we should linde more store and better 
victauls than there. Being willing to hasten our journey we went, and 
came thither at Sunne setting, where we found many of the Namas- 
chencks (they so calling the men of \amaschet) fi.shiug uppon a Ware 
which they had made on a Biver which belonged to them, where they 
caught abundance of Basse. These welcomed us also, gave us of their 



k 



238 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

fish, and we them of our victuals, not doubtin<j but we slioukl have 
enoufih where ere we came. There we lodged in the open fields; lor 
houses they had none, though they spent the most of the Summer there. 
The head of this River is reported to bee not farre from the place of our 
abode, upon it are, and have been many Townes, it being a good length. 
The ground is very good on both sides, it being for the most part 
cleered: Thousands of men have lived there, which dyed in a great 
plague not long since : and pitty it was and is to see so many goodly 
fields & so well seated, without men to dress and manure the same. 
Upon this Kiver dwelleth Massasoyt: It commeth into the Sea at the 
Narrohiganset Bay, where the French men so much use. A shipp may 
go many myles up it, as the Salvages report and a shallop to the head of 
it: but so farre as wee saw wee are sure a shallop may. 

But to returue to our journey: The next morning wee brake our fast, 
tooke our leave and departed, being then accompanied with some sixe 
Salvages, having gone about six myles by the River side, at a knowne 
shole place, it beeing low water, they spake to us to put off our breeches, 
for we must wade tliorow. Heere let me not for get the vallour and 
courrage of some of the Salvages, on the opposite side of the River, for 
there were remaining alive only 2 men. both aged, especially the one 
being above threescoure; These two espying a company of men enter- 
ing the River ran very swiftly & low in the grasse to meet us at the 
bauck, where with shrill voyces and great courage standing charged 
upon us with their bowes, they demanded what we were, supposing us 
to be enemies, and thinking to take advantage on us in the water; but 
seeing we were friends they welcomed us with such foode as they liad, 
and we bestowed a small bracelet of Beades on them. Thus farre we 
are sure the tide ebbs and flows. 

Having here againe refreshed ourselves, we proceeded in our jour- 
ney, the weather being very liote for travel, yet the country so well 
watered that a man could scarce be drie, but he should have a spring at 
hand to coole his thirst, beside small Rivers in abundance; but the Salv- 
ages will not willingly drinke, but at a Spring head. When wee came to 
any small Brooke where no bridge was, two of them desired to carry us 
through of their owne accorde also fearing we were or would bee wearie. 
offered to carry our peeces, also if we would lay off any of our clothes, 
we should have them carried; and as the one of them had found more 
speciall kindnesse from one of the Messengers, and the other Salvage 
from the other so they shewed their thankf ulnesse accordingly in afford- 
ing us all helpe and furtherance in the journey. 

As we passed along wee ob.served that there were few places by the 
River, but had beene inhabited, by reason whereof much ground was 
clcare, save of weeds which grew higher than our heads. There is much 
good Timber both Oake. Walnut-tree. Firre, Beech and exceeding great 






Af^PENnix. 239 

Chestnut-trees. The country in respect of the lying of it, is both 
Champanie and hilly, like many places in England. In some places its 
very rockie both above ground and in it: And though the country bee 
wilde and over-growne with woods, yet the trees stand not thicke, but a 
man may well ride a horse amongst them. 

Passing on at length, one of the company, an Indian, espied a man, 
and told the rest of it, we asked them if they feared any, they told us if 
they were Narrohigganset men they would not trust them, wliereat. we 
called for our peeces and bid them not to feare: for though they were 
twenty, we two alone would not care for them: but they hayling him, 
he proved a friend, and had onely two women with him: their baskets 
were empty, but they fetched water in their bottles, so that we dranke 
with them and departed. After we met another man with two women, 
which had beene at Randevow by the salt water, and their baskets were 
full of roasted Crab fishes, and other dryed shell fish, of which they gave 
us, and we eate and dranke with them: and gave each of the women a 
string of Beades and departed. 

After we came to a Towne of Massasoyts, where we eat Oysters and 
other fish. From thence we went to Packanokick. " 

Although this account says they set forward on the tenth of 
June, &c., other writers, such as Bradford's "History of Plymouth 
Plantations" and Morton's "New England Memorial," p. 69. give 
July 2, as the day of departure. Mourts Relation by Prince, p. 
106 and 107, says "Tuesday July 3d." June 10, 1621 was Sun- 
day, and it is improbable that they started on such a journey on 
the Lord's dav. 



APPENDIX C. 

LPa^p 33.] 
Among the notes of the town, showing the payment to the 
Indians, is this : 

March 11, 1042. Imprimis. Whereas there was a rate of two shil- 
lings for an acre laid upon the inhabitants' home grounds, for the pay- 
ment of the purchase of the lands of the township to the Indians, and 
other persons being received since for inhabitants, were not rated there- 
& unto. 

K It is therefore ordered that the said latter inhabitants, or others that 

B shall hereafter be received for inhabitants, shall pay for their house lots 

I 



240 



QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 



that shall be granted unto them by the town, the said proportion of two 
shillings for an acre, and the said money to be kept for a public stock 
for such used as shall be requisite for the use of the plantation. 



APPENDIX D. 

(Pa.seSS.) 

There seems to be much uncertainty 
first purchasers. 



about the names of the 



The list given in Baylies' " 


Old Colony Memoirs. ' 


" Vo 


paii,e 286. with the shares of 


each. 


is as follows : 




Henry Uxley, 


S. 


.John Bryant, 


«>. 


Richard Williams. 


12. 


Anthony Slocum. 


8. 


.Joseph Wilson, 


8. 


John Gengille, 


8. 


Benjamin Wilson. 


S. 


Francis Streete, 


8. 


William Coy, 


8. 


Hezekiah Hoar, 


8. 


George Hall, 


12. 


Walter Dean, 


12. 


David Corwirthy. 


12. 


John Dean, 


12. 


Mr. Wm. Poole. 


12. 


John Strong, 


12. 


George Macy, 


8. 


Henry Andrews, 


12. 


William Harvy. 


8. 


Thomas Cooke. 


('). 


Richard Paull, 


»i. 


John Smith, 


12. 


Richard Smith, 


12. 


Mr. Thomas Farwell, 


12. 


Mr. ,)ohn (iilbert, 


12. 


Edward Case, 


8. 


Wm. Phillips, 


8. 


John Kingsley, 


12. 


Wm. Hailstone, 


8. 


Hugh Rosseter, 


8. 


Wm. Parker, 


12. 


John Gilbert, 


12. 


John Parker, 


8. 


Thomas Gilbert. 


12. 


.John Richmond, 


('). 


Robert Hobell, 


<■). 


Wm. HoUoway, 


12. 


Richard Burt, 


8. 


The widow Randall. 


(i. 


John Cro.ssman. 


f). 


Francis Doty, 


12. 


John Luther, 


(i. 


Wm. Dunn, 


8. 


John Drake, 


12. 


Wm. Scadding, 


12. 


Mr. John Brown, 


— 



This list contains only forty-six names, while tiie list found 
on the Proprietor's Records is as follows: 



Henry LTxley. 
Richard Williams. 
Joseph VVillstm. 



John (iengille. 
Francis Streete. 
Hugh Ro.sseter. 



APPENDIX. 



241 



r 



Benjamin Willson. 
William C^oy (or Toy.*) 
Georjje Halle. 
Daved Cer withy. 
Mr. William Poole. 
Georf^e Masy. 
William Harvy. 
Hezekiah Here. 
Walter Deane. 
John Deane. 
.lohn Stronge. 
William Dunne. 
William Scaddinyc. 
.John Bryant. 
Anthony Slocum. 

Thomas Joanes. 
Thomas Linkon, jnnioi. 
Thomas Linkon. senior 
Joseph (iilheit. 
Giles Gilbert. 
Robert Crosman. 
Robert Thornton. 
Henry Andrews. 
Thomas CookC. 
John Smith. 
Mr. Thomas ffarwell. 
Edward Casce. 



John Gilbert. 
Thomas Gilbert. 
Robert Hobell. 
Kichard Burt. 
John Greenman. 
John Luthur. 
John Drake. 

Mr. .John (lUe.uible. ) 

Clement Maxfield. 
Edward Rue. 
Thomas Harvy. 
William Hedges. 
William -(Illegible.) 

Aron Knap. 
John GoUap. 
John Kingslo. 
Richard Panll. 
Richard Smith. 
>[r. John Gilbert. 
William Phillips. 
William Hailestone. 
William Parker. 
John Parker. 
John Richman. 
William Holloway. 
The widdo Randall. 
(Illegible. ) 



This list includes s/.v/r names, but it is not certain that even 
I his is perfect, for in a memorandum book, now in the possession 
of Edgar H. Reed, Esq., of 'I'aunlon, believed to be in the hand- 
writing of Erig. James Williams is found this record: "Richard 
Williams was one of the f/g///v purchasers of the tract of land, 
being called the "Eight Mile Square," and received the name of 
Taunton at the time of its incorporation. '" 

DIVISION OF LANDS. 

What ever may have been the exact number of the "first pur- 
chasers," so called, the division of the land among them, and those 

*.N"()TE. This name is nsually iiriiitt'd •• Coy " but the tirst letter i> iniite liki- the 
other "Ts" in the reeovils. 



k 



242 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

who afterwards became proprietors, gave rise to much considera- 
tion and discussion in the town. Apparently the first purchasers 
took possession of a lot of land for a "home lot" of more or less 
extent, which was to be charged to them, as it were by way of an 
advancement, in the final and complete division of the whole terri- 
tory among them, which did not take place for many years after 
the first settlement. For we read that in 1641, when the General 
Court granted to the first seven freemen forty acres each for their 
very valuable services, they declared that this was "in addition to 
their proportion of lands in other places, as the other inhabitants 
have, when the said lands shall come to be divided hereafter. " 
(2 Ply. Col. Rec. p. 18.) 

We append the action of the town upon this subject of divi- 
sion, so far as it can now, in the loss of our public records be sat- 
isfactorily ascertained. 

^ov. 28, 1653. At an orderly town-meeting warned by the constable 
it is acted and voted that there shall be a general division of land to 
every inch, and to whom rights of division shall belong. 

2d, It is agreed that the rule for dividing of land shall be by lots, 
lieads and estates, according to the last rate made, which was a rate of 
eight pounds made for public charges for the country, charged upon 
every inhabitant by the raters that made that rate, and in the division 
three acres to be laid to each head, and three acres to every shilling that 
is charged in that rate, contained in this order, and three acres to tlie 
house or home lot, and those that are single men to be looked upon as 
two heads. [This said agreement was changed February 20, 1()54, to be 
the one-half of the proportion in the division.] 

It is voted and granted that such as possess the lands of those that 
removed from the plantation, or have been received since, shall have 
their divisions that doth belong to their lots only, their persons and 
estates being departed hence, which said division to a six acre lot, apper- 
tains two acres and a half, and twenty-six pole. 

It is agreed concerning other inhabitants that have not had division 
shall have (right) to future divisions in the lands yet undivided, provided 
they pay their twelve shillings apiece to public use, as foimer inhabi- 
tants have done, according to town agreement in that case. 

Dec. 28, 1659. The names of those inhabitants within the Town- 
ship of Taunton, who are to have their division of land now agreed 
upon, Dec. 28, 1659, whose proportion is to be according to the late here 
following, together with the quantity of land, lots, and heads, at two 
acres to the head, two acres to the shilling, and two acres to the lot. 





APPENDIX. 










The rate. 






(The lots 


are ali 




£ 


s. 


d. 


Heads. 


Acres 


Alsris Wimiifred (lilbert. 1 


10 





3 




James Walker. 


1 


5 


7 


8 


9G 


John TiscUll, 


1 


10 


10 


!) 


82 


Richard Burt. 




18 


2 


4 


40 


James Burt, 




12 




6 


:^>^ 


Francis Smith, 


1 


7 


4 


6 


01 


Msris Jane Gilbert. 




y 





7 


55 


Fransic Street. 




<i 


7 


5 


25 


John Briant, 







9 


2 


19 


Christopher Thrashei-. 




5 


2 


7 


20 


John Hathaway. 




10 


7 


7 


37 


.Fonah Austin, Sr. 




19 


11 


12 


40 


William Parker, 




15 


;:; 


2 


36 


James Phillips, 




13 


4 


2 


31 


Peter Pitts, 


] 


00 


7 





55 


William Haylston 




'>, 


4 


2 


17 


Aaron Knap, 




7 


9 


2 


32 


Thomas Lincoln. Jr. 




14 


S 


6 


43 


Edward Bobbit, 




10 


8 


4 


29 


James Wiatt, 


1 


8 


11 


2 


04 


fieorge Macey, 




IS 


3 


7 


52 


William Witherell, 




7 


10 


5 


28 


William Harvy, 




14 


00 


7 


44 


Thomas Lincoln, Sr. 


2 


00 


3 


6 


94 


<;apt. Poole, 


1 


2 


3 


8 


62 


John Macomber, 




7 


00 


4 


24 


Edward Rew, 




7 


00 


2 


20 


Joseph Wlibore. 




14 


7 


3 


37 


Samuel Howard, 




4 


4 





9 


Thomas Caswell. 




11 


3 


9 


42 


Widow Woody, 




5 


7 


2 


17 


Shadrach Wilbore. 




12 


6 


3 


3;'. 


Robert Grossman. 




t» 


8 


7 


33 


John Cobb, 




12 


00 


2 


30 


Henry Andrews. 




18 


3 


3 


44 


John Deane, 


I 


8 


10 


8 


7« 


Walter Deane, 




13 


1 


8 


44 


Hezekiah Hoar, 




12 


1 


5 


•SQ 


Anthony Slocum, 




10 


4 


6 


53 


(ieorge Hall, 


1 


15 


3 


7 


86 


Richard Williams, 


1 


13 


li 


10 


91 


Thomas Jones, 




4 


3 


3 


16 



243 



244 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEP.RATION. 

Tin' rate. (The lots are alike.) 

£ s. (1. Heads. Acres. 

Robert Tliorutun. :1 Id (i I(» 

William She))ar(l, 5 oo lo .;•_' 

James Leonard. IS ito lo .^s 

Nathaniel Woodward, 2 Oo o H 

Timothy Holloway. 

Jan. 5, 105U. It was agreed by a free vote of the town that all 
orplians or fatherless children shall have their rights in all divisions of 
lands which are due unto them according- to i>ro)joition. 

Dec. 9, 10()2. Voted that all lands that are yet undivided belonging 
to the town shall for future time be divided by way of purchase. For- 
mer act of dividing lands by heads and estates canceled. 

In 1662, some complaint was made to the General Court 
about the method pursued of dividing the lands in Taunton, which 
produced the following order: 

Att this Court, this following order was directed to the towne of 
Taunton: — Vpon the com})laint of some of the inhabitants of Taunton 
that some there liaiu^ gone about to alter the ancient way of distribution 
of lands in that towne formerly settled and long practised, wheiby. 
besides many other niconveniencyes that doth arise therby. some Indians 
tliat by the leause of the towne Ijad libertie to plant coine in the remote 
ptes of the townshipe are disturbed in the improuement of the said 
lands, to theire great impouerishing by such ps(ms theire taking v]) such 
great quantities of land, which is ill resented by vs: wee doe therefore 
require them to desist from any such practice as that which we fear may 
create much trouble and inconveuiencye, vntill wee haue fnrthei- inipiired 
into the same. (Ply. Col. Kec. Vol. TV. Page ;W.) 

Jan. 10, lOGO. It is voted and agreed upon by the town, and these, 
ten men following are chosen to draw a list of the purchaseis oi' free 
inhabitants here in town as followeth: James Walker, William Harvey. 
Richard Williams, Walter Dean, Lieut. Macy. Ensign Leonard. Aron 
Knap, John Hall, Joseph Wilborc, John Hichmond. 

2d, That an exact list be taken of the names of all sudi iniiabitants 
amongst us that have rights in divisions of lands, and also that a list be 
taken of all the rest of the inhabitants, to the intent that we may know 
who are by Court order allowed to vote in to^ n-meeting, and who not. 

:>d. And in the beginning of each town-meeting tiic list of all tlic 
free inhabitants or purchasers shall be called over, and if sixteen of 
them with the clerk do appear at the time and place appointed, if siiali 
be la\vf\il for them to proceed to the enacting of such things as lor which 
the town-meeting was appointed, but not to distribute our lands althoiigli 
it be due, except sixteen of tiie jjurchasers ai)pear. 



I 



APPENDIX. 245 

.hill. S, 1(>74. It is voti'd ;iml agreed by the town that tlie committee 
cliosen formerly, the 10th, January, 1669, them or the major part of 
tlicm have full power to draw up a list of the purchasers or proprietors 
of this town, and how lands .shall be settled and confirmed to the pur- 
chasers or proprietors so that the town may be freed from future 
daniaf^e, and also no man barred of his just right, and whatsoever this 
committee, or the major part of them, shall agree upon or do in or about 
Mic premises shall stand firm and good. 

In .fan. 21, 1678, another Committee of seven, including five of the 
last named Committee were appointed with similar power and duties, 
:ind also to ratify their supposed lost grants and town orders. This 
Committee consisted of William Harvey. Walter Deane, Samuel Smith, 
.John Richmond, James Walker, Thomas Leonard & William Witherell. 
By the vote creating them they were to report in "a year's time after 
the date hereof. " But their report not being ready in that time, the 
town voted, on Dec. I, 1670, to give them until the last day of May, 1680, 
which was then made as follows: 

" To our hrlurcl hret/n-ru and i,rlii/i!>"rs, the In/nihifiints <,/ the l.nwn (>/ 
T(tuntnn, in the 'jorcrnincnt of New Plymouth: 

"The committee chosen by the said town for to ratify town orders 
and grants, and to bring them into a formal body so that they may stand 
in force, and also to determine how lands shall be recorded that they 
may be confirmed, both to ourselves and to our posterity. 

'■ The committee wisheth grace, mercy, and peace in our Lord Jesus 
Christ. 

'• Amongst the many mercies that we enjoy here in this wilderiujss 
this ought to be accounted none of the least that we enjoy such rulers 
cliosen from amongst ourselves (in the Commonwealth) and live under 
sucli (ioverument, by means wherof. we as well as the rest of the towns 
ill tills (rovernment, enjoy liberty and power to make such town orders 
from time to time as we shall find needful for the ordering and man- 
aging our prudential affairs and the maintaining the worship of God 
amongst us, Provided that no town order do infringe or be repugnant to 
any order of our Government, and considering that God is a God of 
order and not of confusion, and that he hath in some measure put us 
into a capacity to observe and be guided by good and wholesome orders, 
it JKitli been looked upon as great pity and neglect that our town orders 
liavc not before now been brought into a formal body, distinct from the 
records of our lauds, which our town having well considered and chosen 
us to do siu-h a needful woik. Although we are sensible of our own 
weakness and of the many difficulties in the work, yet considering the 
great necessity that something of this nature ought to be done and that 
the records of our lands may not lie in a confused manner, we have 



246 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

tlilou};!) much difficulty revised, collected, and formed this followiuj; 
body of town orders, reduced into chapters, as may be seen in this book, 
let the reader take notice, that first after this epistle he hath our orders 
from the town inserted, and next after that some instructions for those 
that have lands to be recorded, and then the preface that is before the 
list of purchasers or proprietors, and then the said list and nextly there 
followeth the several chapters of town orders. It hath been our en- 
deavor to compose and form the several orders in this book as they may 
most conduce to general utility and profit, yet several of these orders, 
intended for the present convenience, may probably be hereafter altered, 
and as need requireth other orders added, suitable to such alternate 
changes as is usual in affairs. Respecting town and commonwealth af- 
fairs, probably it may be that weakness may appear in what we here 
present to your view, for want of such able instruments as others aie 
furnished withall; however, our desires are that you will be pleased to 
accept of what we, according to the utmost of our powers, have done. 
Endeavouring to promote the general good of this place, and that you 
would seriously consider that if such a work as this is of so great im- 
portance to us at such a time as this is should be retarded and hindered, 
what would be the event thereof. Therefore, hoping there will be com- 
fortable concurrence and closure with us in this work consideiing we 
aim at the peace and trancjuillity both of the present and rising genera- 
tions, we rest your friends and neighbors, 

'• Waltek Dkaxk. 
"James Walkek. 
"Thoma.s Leonard. 
"John Richmond. 
"William Witherell. " 

" At the Court of General Sessions of the Peace held at Bristol for 
the County of Bristol on the second Tuesday in October in the year 17(12. 
Thomas Leonard and John Richmond, two of the committee whose 
names are set to the above written epistle, made oath in said court that 
the above written epistle and what said epistle doth refer the reader 
unto, and all contained in the first thirteen chapters in this book (which 
chapters do end in the twenty sixth page) was all entered in this book 
by order of said committee before the twenty-fifth day of May in the 
year sixteen hundred and eighty (except something in the second chap- 
ter and something in the sixth chapter both which may plainly appear 
by their dates to have been entered since said twenty-fifth of May) and 
on said twenty-fifth of May sixteen hundred and eighty this above 
written epistle and that was entered before as above said, was rend to 
the town in a public town-meeting in Taunton, and the town then de- 



APPENDIX. 247 

clarcd by vote their acceptance of what said committee had done as 
above which is agreeable to the said town's vote which is entered in the 
third page in this book. 

"Sworn in Court October 14, 1702. 

"Attest John Caky, CVcyfc. " 

At the same town meeting, May 25, 1680, the original com- 
mitted of ten, appointed Jan. 10, 1669, or a major part of them 
make their report as follows : 

Whereas, by the providence of God in the year 1638 and tlie year 
KVW, it pleased God to bring the most part of the first purchasers of 
Taunton over the great ocean into this wilderness from our dear & 
native land, and after some small time here we found this place, called 
by the natives the land Cohannet, in the Colony of New Plymouth, and 
of the Court of said Colony we obtained grants of tracts of land for 
a plantatitni or townsliip as by the records of said Court it may and doth 
appear, and then we also made purchase and bought the said tracts of 
land for our money of the right proprietors and owners, the Indians' 
or Prince of that part of the country, as by deed under their hands it 
may appear, and in honor and love to our dear and native country, we 
called this place Taunton, and owning it a great mercy of God to bring 
us to this place, and settling of us, on lands of our own, bought with 
our money in peace, in the midst of the heathen, for a possession for our- 
selves, and for our posterity after us, do mutually agree and fully deter- 
mine as an undeniable order of this town, without any evasion whatso- 
ever, that all lands that is or shall be granted to any person or persons, 
whether under the denomination of a purchaser or free inhabitant 
oiderly received into this town, shall be to the grantees and their heirs 
and assigns forever, a good perfect estate of inheritance in fee simple- 
and that all titles of our lands within this township, so to stand in the 
tenure to the grantees, and so to descend to their survivors as aforesaid. 

Whereas, it is the expectation of this town, that we, the said com- 
mittee, should do something that our lands may be confirmed both to 
ourselves and to our posterity, the town having enipowered us so to do, 
we do therefore agree and determine in the behalf of the town, that all 
persons enjoying lands, either upland or swamp or meadow within this 
township, when they would record such land, they shall bring a fair 
copy of all such lands, both upland, meadow and swamp into the Select- 
men's meeting, mentioning in the copy the bounds or quantity or both 
of each parcel, and how they possess it, whether by purchase from par- 
ticular persons, or by gift or grant from the town, and if by grant from 
the town, that they mention what purchase right and what division, if it 
may be, mentioning also what they have sold and to whom, and then if 



248 ouakti:k .MiLLi'LNNiAi. c:kli:hk.\ti(in. 

tlio si'lt'rtiiK'ii, or tlic inajor jciit ot tlictii. do apinovi' of tlie coity ;iiiil 
set their hands thereunto, the town clerk shall record m11 such lands in 
the town book of records, over-writing the record thereof thus as fol- 
loweth .-—The records of the land both ui)lands, meadow lands. an<l 
swamp lands of such a person, naminj; of him, both of what was ftranled 
him by the town and what he bought of particular persons, and also 
what he hath sold, all and every parcel thereof, to be held to tlic 
•grantee his heirs, successors and assif^ns forever accordint; to liic 
tenor of our Charter or Patent. 

THE PKKFACE TO THK LIST OF PUISCH.S^SKKS oi; I'HOriM K TcMi^^. 

Whereas the General Court at Plymouth, in July the KtMi. KKi'.i. 
made an act for quietin<r men's estates, avoiding suits at law. as may 
appear in the printed law book, chap. 10, page :!5; and whereas it is en- 
acted by the Court that all grants of lands shall be held to the grantees, 
their heirs, .successors & assigns forever according to the most free 
tenor of East (xreenwich in the County of Kent.'in the Healm of Eng- 
land, granted to us in our Charter or Patent, and our inhabitants to 
defend according to the tenor thereof as appears chaj). 10, page 44. 

And whereas, the Court formerly gave power to seven men of tlic 
ancient inhabitants of this town to receive inhabitants and to dispose of 
lands to them for the better carrying on of the public affairs and main- 
taining the worship of God amongst us, but several of those persons so 
received into this town, did afterwards leave and forsake the town, 
whereupon it was the practice of the town to divide lands (viz. such 
lands as such persons which left the town should have had. if they had 
not left their town nor alienated their rights) to such inhabitants as en- 
joy the purchase lots (so called) of those that left the town, excejit the 
purchase lot and the jiurchase rights to divisions were seperated, and 
then, in such case, the town did divide lands to those that did hold tlie 
pvirchase rights to divisions, but the town not having kept any exact 
list of those admitted to be purchasers, nor anj' exact record of theii' 
manner of settling lands upon persons, therefore, for the preventing of 
future troubh; and inconveniences the town chose a committee, .Ian. Id. 
I(i6'.t. to draw a list of the purchasers, or free inhal)itants heie in town: 
the town likewise voted and agreed, Jan. l<t. I(i74. that the same com 
niittee shall have full power (or the major part of tiicm) t<> diaw up a 
list of the purchasers or the proprietors of this town, and how iainls 
shall be settled and confirmed to .the purchasers or )>roprietors. so that 
the town may be freed from future damage and also no man barred of 
his just right, and whatsoevei' this committee, oi' the major j>art of them 
shall agree upon or do, in or about the premises, siiall stand firm and 
good; we, therefore, whose names are under written, being tlic major 
part of said committee, do agree anti conclude that lands shall be 



APPENDIX. 249 

lecoiderl unto, confirmed and settled upon' sueh persons, unto wliom 
tlie town hath already i-ranted or divided lands by virtue of their en- 
joyinj; either purchase lots or purchase rights to oivLsions, vi^hose names 
are on the list which we have drawn, notwithstanding it is not hereby 
intended to deprive any per.son, (that removed hence) of his rights, but 
he shall have free liberty to demand and recover (according to the afore- 
mentioned law) his rights, if any, of any such person or persons to 
whom the town divided lands, by virtue of his possessing the purcha.sc 
lot or purchase rights of any such ancient inhabitant, who was formerly 
accepted under tlie motion of a purchaser. 

JAMES WALKER. JOSEPH WILHOKE. 

JOHN RICHMOND, JOHN HALL. 

THOMAS LEONARD. RICHARD WILLIAMS. 

WALTER DEAN. 

This ^oth of May UiSO. The town hath voted that they acccjjt of 
what the committee hath done: by the committee is understood those 
that did this day present what they had caused to be enteied on the 
town book of Town Orders, concerning settling of our lands and town- 
orders. 

A list of the names of the present purchasers or proprietors of the 
Town of Taunton unto whom the town hath already granted or divided 
lands by virtue of their enjoying either purchase lots or purchase rights 
to divisions of land as followeth : 

Richard Williams on his own rights, A on that which was Henry 
rxley"s,'& on that which was Anthony Slocum's and that which was 
John (ringirs. 

John Hall and Samuel Hall on their two rights which were .loseidi 
Wilson's and Benjamin Wilson's. 

Joseph Hall on the rights that was his father's. 

Captain William Poole's heirs on his rights. 

Lieutenant George Macey on his own rights and on that wliieh was 
Mr. Bishop's. 

William Harvey on his own rights. 

Kdward Rew on the rights that was William Coy's. 

Hezekiah Hoar on his own rights. 

Walter Dean on his own rights. 

John Dean on his father's rights. 

Henry Andrews on his father's rights. 

Increase Robinson on the rights that was I'homas ('Jook's. 

John Cobb on the rights that was John Smith's. 

Thomas Farwell's heirs on his rights. 

Shadrach Wilbore on the rights that was Edward Case's. 



350 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

Thomas Caswell on the rights that was John Kingslow's. 

James Leonard, Junior, on the rights that was Richard I'aul's. 

Joseph VVilbore on the rights that was Richard Smith's. 

John Smith, Senior, on half the rights that was Mr. John Gilbert's. 

James Phillips on the rights that was his father's. 

John Richmond on the rights that was his father's vS: on the rights 
that was Mr. Francis Doubtyes (Doughty.) 

Jonah Austin, Senior, on the right that was William Holloway's. 

Jonah Austin, Junior, on the lidlf purchase raihts of the widow 
Randil's. 

William Witherell on his own rights, & that which was Mr. Dunn's. 

John Bryant on the rights which was his father's cV: that which was 
William Scadding's. 

Mary Streete on the rights that was her father's.* 

Joseph Willis on the rights that was Hugh Rossiter's. 

Eleazer Gilbert on the rights of John Gilbert. 

Thomas Gilbert on the rights that was his father's. 

Malachi Holloway on the rights that was Richard Hart's. 

Francis Smith on the rights that was Oliver Purchase's. 

Samuel Smith on the rights that was Jacob Wilson's 

James Burt on the rights that was his father's. 

Richard Burt on the rights that was his father's. 

James Tisdil on the rights that was David Greenman's. 

John Tisdil, senior, on his own rights. 

John Tisdil, Junior, on the rights that was Mr. Drake's. 

James Walker, senior, on his own rights, & on that which wa.s Mr. 
John Brown's, & on the rights that was John Luther's. 

Mr. John Poole on the rights that was Miss Elizabeth Poole's. 

James Wiat's heirs on his rights. 

Thomas Harvey, Junior, on his fathers rights. 

To John Strong's rights we find several claimers. 

Christopher Thrasher on his own rights. 

William Shepard's heirs on his rights. 

John Hathaway on the rights that was his fathers. 

Peter Pitts on the rights that was Richard Stasie's and on Mir rights 
that was William Parker's. 

Thomas Cogan's heirs on his rights. 

John Maeomber, Senior, on his own rights. 

Israel Dean on the rights that was Clement Maxfield's. 

Richard Stasie on the rights that w-as Edward Rew's. 

John Hodges on the rights that was his father's. 
William PJvans his heirs on his rights. 

Aaron Knap's heirs on his rights. 

Henry Hodges on the rights that was John Gollup's. 



APPENDIX. 251 

Hicliaid Godt'ice, senior, on half the purchase rij^hts tlial was 
Thomas Joan's. 

Thomas Lincohi, senior, on his own rij^hts. 

Thomas Lincohi. Junior, on his own rights. 

George Watson on tlie rights that was Giles Gilbert's. 

Giles Gilbert on the rights that was Joseph Gilbert's. 

Robert Grossman on his own rights. 

Robert Thornton on his own rights. 

John Turner on his own rights. 

James Leonard, senior, on his own rights. 

Mr. John Paine on the rights that was Ralph Russell's. 

Thomas Leonard on the rights that was Henry Leonards it on half 
the purchase rights that was Thomas Jones'. 

Edward Bobbitt on his own rights. 

Samuel Holloway on his own rights. 

Jonathan Briggs on the rights that was Benjamin Dunham's. 

Nicholas White, senior, on the rights that was David Curwithies 
and on the rights that was Giles Slocum's. 

John Parker's heirs on his own rights. 

Mr. George Shove on his own rights. 

William Haylston on his own rights. 

Mr. William Brenton on the rights that was Mr. Nicholas Street's. 

These purchasers or proprietors, fore-mentioned, are hereby and by 
virtue hereof entitled and interested only unto the first purchase of the 
township of Taunton and not unto any later purchase. 

This list was made and agreed upon and concluded and confiiined 
by us whose names are underwritten, being the major part of the -joni- 
mittee chosen by the town for that end. Dated May 14, leiTS. 

RICHARD WILLIAMS, JOHN RICHMOND, 

JAMES WALKER, JOHN HALL, 

WALTER DEAN, JOSEPH WILBORE. 

THOMAS LEONARD. 



APPENDIX E. 

(Page 34.) 

MISS Poole's land. 
So far as we now know Miss Poole's title to land in Taunton 
arose in this wav: 



252 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

On llu' :)(] of Mai\-h KWO, the General Court at Plymoiitli passed an 
order "that they will see Mr. Hooke, Mr. Streete, and Mrs. Poole shall 
have competent meddow & uplands, for farnies layd forth for them 
al)out May next, hy Captaine Standish and such others with him assliall 
lie especially assigned thereunto." (1 Ply. Col. Her. p. 14:5.) 

In pursuance of that order Miles Standish and -lohn Brown. ])r()l)ahly 
in May following, i. e. 1640, "layd forth" her lands and made report 
thereof to the Proprietors as follows: (Prop. Rec. Vol. I. p. Ki. ) 

•'Those lands which, by order of the Court, were, by Miles Standish 
and .John Brown, assistants in the (Tovernment of Plymouth, appointed 
to be laid out unto Mrs. Elizabeth Pool, of Taunton, as foUowcth : 

Imprimis. At her farm at Littleworth, forty acres of mca<lo".v, 
being- at the end next unto her house there, lying at that end between 
the South and South west and so nortlierly. 

Item. Fifty acres of such upland which she will make choice of 
tiiereabouts. 

Item. Fifty acres of ui)laiid lying near the two mile brook, joining 
to the marsh on the south side thereof, as also half of the same marsh 
for (piantity and quality. 

Item. An hundred acies of uphind lying on tlie otlier side of tiic 
great river of Taunton. 

Item. For her home lot fifteen acres to the next unto Mr. Ilooke's 
house, as also to the mill six ac^res. 

Iti-m. That these lands be measured out in a convenient time b\ 
the freemen or some of them and by a man well experienced in measur- 
ing of grounds. 

Miles Standish. 
.lohn Brown. "' 

Hon. Henry Williams, in a valuable article read before; tin; 
( )1(1 Colony Historical Society, (C\)1I. No. 2. p. 76.) thus comments 
on this report: — 

" Fiom the report it appears that Miss Pool had a farm with a house 
on it, at Littleworth, without definite bounds or a determinate (luantity 
of land. The commissioners first set off forty acres of meadow, and fifty 
acres of upland "which she will make choice of thereabouts."' 'i'his 
farm seems to have been the oidy land of which she had possession 
among the several tracts then set off to her. 

The locality called Littleworth was a tract of land embracing a num- 
ber of laige farms situated in the easteily part of Taunton, adjoining 
file ])resent town of Lakeville, extending to the Middleborough line ad- 
joining Taunton. The house on Miss Pool's farm was about a mile from 
Myrick's station <m the road formerly called " the Kho<le Island Path. '" 



APPENDIX. 253 

leading trom Plymouth to Hliode Island. There is a tradition that she 
formerly lived there, but it may have arisen from the fact that she 
owned a house there. 

The second tract of land set otf to her is described as "near the two 
mile brook. " This shows it was situated near the Anchor Forge, now 
within the limits of Kaynham. 

The third tract was an hundred acres described as "on the other 
side of the great river of Taunton. "' This is very indefinite, and not 
readily located without reference to subse<juent deeds. It was near 
Neck of Land, so-called. 

" For her home lot. "' they set off twenty one acres (m the southerly 
side of what is now Main and a portion of Summer streets, extending 
from Mr. Ilooke's house, near that now occupied by James H. Antlumy, 
Esq., to the mill situated on the westerly side of Mill Itiver. adjoining 
what is now Cohannet street. On this ■"home lot" there were then no 
buildings. A house was subsequently built thereon in which Miss l'(»ol 
lived with her brother till 1653.—" 

Mr. Williams also appends to his article a copy of the will of 
Miss Poole, giving her real estate chiefly to her nephew John Pole, 
wiiich we annex hereto. 

Tnp: Last Wii-l and Testamknt of Mrs. Eijzabeth Pooi.e. ex- 
hibited befoie the Court held at Plymouth the sixt of June 105(i, on the 
oaths of Lieutenant James Wiate and Richard Williams, and by the .said 
Court ordered to bee recorded, the seventeenth day of the ;^d month, 
1054, — one thousand six hundred and fifty four. 

In the name of God, Amen. I, Elizabeth Pole of Taunton, in Col- 
onic of New Plymouth, in New England of the age of sixty and five, or 
thereabouts, being sick and weake under the visitation of the Lord, yett 
being of perfect memory and understanding, and willing to set my liouse 
in order according to the direction and message of the Lord unto Heze- 
kiah, when he was sick, that I might leave mine affairs soe as might be 
peaceable and comfortable to my friends remaining beliind mee. I 
therefore commit my body to the grave, according to the appointment of 
God, whoe took mee from the dust, and saith wee shall return unto the 
dust, there to remain until the resurrection, and my soul into the hands 
of God, my Henvenly Father, through Jesus (Hirist, who is to me all in 
all, and hath, as I believe, and am jiersuaded through the mercy of God, 
reconciled me unto God, and taken away the guiltiness of sin ami fear of 
deatli, which would otherwise have been heavy to bear, and makes me 
willing to leave the world, and desire to be dissolved, and to bee with 
Christ which is best of all; and as for tliat portion of worldly goods, 
which the Lord of his mercy hath yett continued unto mee. 1 give and 
bequeath as foUoweth: — 



254 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

Imprimis: — I give and bequeath unto my brother, Capt. Wilbam 
Pole, now living and dwelling in Taunton, my dwelling house which I 
built and have dwelt in until a little time past, wherein my brother now 
dwelleth, with my orchard and home ground thereunto appertaining, as 
also my forty acres of meadowing at Little Worth, as alsoe my neck of 
land so called, lying on the further side of the Great River, containing 
an hundred acres, — these I bequeath unto my brother aforesaid, and also 
the house wherein I now dwell, bought of Robert Thornton, and the 
land thereunto appertaining which I bought of him therewith as alsoe 
my fifty acres of land lying by the two-mile meadow so-called, and my 
part of meadowing in that two mile meadow, which contains the one- 
half of it adjoining unto my said fifty acres, with all my rights of land 
in divisions due to me in Taunton. I give and bequeath these all for- 
mentioned unto my brother during his lifetime, to enjoy as his own 
freely, to improve and enjoy for his advantage, and after his decease, I 
give and bequeath unto my cousin John Pole, my brother's eldest sou. 
my house aforesaid, which I built upon my own lot, wherein my brother 
now dwelleth, with the orchard and all the home grounds thereunto ap- 
pertaining, with my meadows at Little Worth, and my neck of land of 
one hundred acres, on the further side of the Gieat River, with all the 
lands and rights of divisions that thereunto appertain in Taunton, to 
appertain and belong to my cousin, John Pole, and his heirs after him 
forever, from the day of the decease of his father; and in case God shall 
see good to bring my cousin, John Pole, to a married estate before the 
decease of his father, my brother, then my will is that from the time of 
his contracting a marriage, he do possess and enjoy as his own freely, 
the house wherein I now dwell, that I bought of Robert Thornton, 
which my will is, that it be presently repaired and kept in good order to 
support it out of my stock, and by such means as 1 have appointed for 
that end, and so be kept for my cousin, John Pole, as aforesaid, with 
the lands thereunto appertaining by right everyway, and my brother the 
home-lot lying adjoining to it, throughout, with my fifty acres by the 
two-mile meadows, and my half of that meadow to it, to be his only and 
freely until his father's decease, and then to surrender up his said house 
and lands unto his mother, to be hers to possess and enjoy during her 
lifetime, and after her decease to appertain unto her two younger sons, 
Timothy Pole and Nathaniel Pole, and my cousin John Pole, to enjoy 
and possess his own house and land whereof his father, my brother, had 
possession of, which I dwelt upon before, and forsook, I now give unto 
my cousin, John Pole, at my decease, one cowe, called Onely; and 
whereas I have left to my brother, his father, a yoke of oxen of my 
stock, my will is that his father make them good unto him out of his 
estate, at his father's decease; also I give unto my cousin, John Pole, all 
my household stuff and goods within dore, the which I commit to the 



APPENDIX. 



255 



cave and keeping of my overseers, to have in their custody and care to 
preserve for him until he come to keep house for himself, being married, 
and then if the Lord continue his life, to enjoy it as his own, but if the 
Lord take liim away by death befoie lie be of age to marry, then my will 
is that my cousin Timothy Pole, his next brother, enjoy these things 
forementioned as my gift to him. Or if my cousin John Pole marry and 
die without issue, then the lands to return to my cousin Timothy Pole, 
only this excepting: a parcel of the land is promised to James Bell for a 
lot, if there be none procured for him by my brother in another place. 
I give to my cousen Mary Pole, one cow at my decease, and all my ap- 
parel and wearing clothes, which I commit to the keeping of my over- 
seers for to let her have what they think may be fit for her to wear as 
she hath need of it, and what they think is not fit for her to have, to 
make sale thereof and put it into some stock that may be to her benefit. 
Furthermore, 1 give unto the Church of God at Taunton, for the further- 
ance of any special service thereof, one cow whichsoever the overseers 
shall like best to take for that end, after my decease, and improve it for 
that end. 

I give my part in the iron works to be from my decease for the fur- 
therance of my cousin John Pole, in leaving which I earnestly desire 
him to attend unto and show all due respect unto his parents, both with 
respect to the word of God and my last charge. And after the Lord 
hath brought him to age, then my said part in the iron works to be for 
the training up my cousin Nathaniel Pole in learning as fast as it may 
help that way, and afterwards when he is grown of age, I give and be- 
queath it to him as his own forever. 

I give unto my kind and old friend sister Margery Paule widow, one 
yearling heifer, if it be living at my decease, and appoint my overseers 
to see it delivered unto her after my decease. 

I appoint and make my cousin John Pole to be my sole Executor, to 
receive all and to pay debts and any engagements, and so commend him 
to the blessing of the Lord. 

I appoint my kind friends Richard Williams and Walter Dean Dea- 
cotis of the Church of Taunton, and Oliver Purchis to be my overseers, 
to whom I commit my trust and care to see this my last will be fulfilled 
in all the parts thereof, and heiein I 



according and as it 
rest. 



Witnessed by 



Thi 



James Wiatt, 
Oliver Purchis, 
Richard Williams. 
(Ply. Col. Rec, of Wills. Book 2, 



signed by me, 

ELIZABETH POLE. 



Part I, Page 24-5-fi, ) 



256 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

Her real estate thus given to her nephew John Poole after 
ihe death of his father William, came into his possession, and in 
1680 he was ordered to clear up and make apparent the true 
boundaries of his forty acre meadow lot, by an order, a copy of 
which is as follows : 

At a General Court held at Plymoiith, Oct. 27. 1680, it was 
ordered as follows : — 

•' In reference vnto forty acrees of meddow formerly graunted vnto 
.Mistris Elizabeth Poole, of Taunton, deceased, now appertaining vnto 
lu'i' successor, Mr. John Poole, niarchant in Boston, forasmuch as the 
boiu)ds of the said meddow, by reason of rubbish groune vp. can not be 
desceine<l, which occationeth some disputes between tlie tenants of the 
said Jolin Poole whoe impioue the same and the naighbours next ad- 
joyning, wlioe haue injoyed theire rights bordering thereon for the space 
of twenty yeers in peace, tliis Court doth order, that Mr. Poole be sjieed- 
ily informed of tlie pniises, and required to make the bounds of the said 
iiiedcktw to ajipeer, in order to a settlement thereof according to etpiity 
;ind justice, and for the preventsion of future differences about it. which 
if neglected, the Court will see themselues necessitated to take sonie 
speedy course for tlu' settlement thereof. " (Ply. Col. Pec. Vol. VT. 
Page 54. ) 

MK. hook's A\J) MK. srKKKr's I.ANl*. 

The lands " layd forth "' for Mr. Hooke and Mr. Street jointly 
under the above order were in the present town of Berkley, and 
comprising about 400 acres of upland and 30 of meadow. When 
Mr. Hooke moved to New Haven about 1644, he sold nearly all 
his interest to Mr. Street, and in 1658 when .Mr. Street succeeded 
him in New Haven, he conveyed the same (by his attorneys, 
James Wyatt and (ieorge Macye,) to John Hathway, Edward Bob- 
bett. and Timothy Holloway, all of Taunton, for 150^', as appears 
by this deed. 

I'RKNCK tiov. 

To all Christian People to whom the Presents shall conu'. .lanu's 
Wyatt of Taunton, in Plymouth Patent, in New England, and George 
Macye of the same fowne. Attoineys unto Mi'. Nicliolas .Streete. now or 
late Teacher of the Church of Taunton aforesaid, .seniletli (ireet. iScc. 
Know yea that whereas the said Nicholas Street by his letter of Attor- 
ney, bearing date the nineteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord 
• lue thousand si.\ hundre«l lifty-eight, di<l orilnim' and constitute and in 



APPENDIX. 257 

liis place and stead set and appointed the said James Wyatt and George 
Macye his true and lawful attorneys, for him and in his name and stead 
to sell and make sale of four hundred acres of upland and meadow, be 
there more or less lying together in Taunton aforesaid which was given 
by the Court of Plymouth unto Mr. William Hook and the said Mr. 
Nicholas Street jointly; and at the going away of the said Hook from 
Taunton to New Haven, all the said Hook's part, except two parcels of 
meadow, the one lying at Grassy Island, the other at a place called As- 
sonet, being sold or disposed of to the said Street, and by the same let- 
ters of Attorney doth give full power and authority unto them, the said 
Attorneys, to enter his said lands, or into some part thereof, in the name 
of the whole; and to such person or persons, as by virtue of the said 
letters, shall purchase the same of his said Attorneys, that they his said 
Attorneys do in his name deliver quiet and peaceable possession and 
seizen acccording to the law, and also to remove, evict, and dispossess 
as they shall think fit all and every person or persons using or occupying 
all or any part of the said lands, and them so cleared to convert unto 
the use of such person or persons as shall purchase the same. Where- 
fore now further Know ye, that we the said James Wyatt and George 
Macey, in the name of the said Nicholas Street according to the power 
committed unto us as aforesaid, for and in consideration of one hundred 
and fifty pounds sterling, whereof fifty pounds in hand payed, the resi- 
due secured to be paid, have given, granted, bargained, sold enfeoffed 
and confirmed, and by these presents do give, grant, bargain, sell, enfeof 
and confirm unto John Hathway, Edward Bobbett and Timothy Hollo- 
way, all of Taunton afoiesaid, the said four hundred acres of upland 
and meadow lying together in Taunton aforesaid, be there more or less, 
the one side whereof is bounded with two marked trees standing upon 
the head of a cove called Smith's Cove, on the south part, the other part 
bounded with a place called the Iron Springs being opposite against 
a certain parcel of land called Mr. Gilbert's farm; on the north part one 
end buts upon a great River in part, and upon the meadows of Captain 
William Poole, Mistress Jane Farwell, and William Hailstone, in part on 
the west or northwest part, the other end running up into the woods, so 
far as will extend to four hundred acres, as aforesaid; the one moiety, 
or half part of which said four hundred acres the said Nicholas Street 
had and purchased of the said William Hook late Pastor of the said 
Church of Taunton when he the said Hook went from Taunton to New 
Haven as is aforesaid. To have and to hold the said four hundred acres 
of upland and meadow, be there more or less, as before butted and 
bounded, with all and every the appurtenances, privileges and commodi- 
ties thereunto belonging or anyways appertaining unto the said John 
Hathway, Edward Bobbett, and Timothy HoUoway, their heirs and assigns 
forever. To the only use and behoof of the said John Hathway, Edward 



258 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

Bobbett, and Timothy Ilolloway, their heirs and assions forever, without 
any tlie let, nioU'station or expulsion of him the said Nicholas Street, his 
Ijeirs, executors or assions, or any claimini;' any title, claim or interest to 
the same or any part tliereof, from or under him them «)r any of them, 
and for warranting of the said premises the said James Wyatt and (xeorfje 
Macey doth for themselves, their heirs Executors and Administrators, 
covenant and Grant, to and with the said John Hathway, Edwartl liob- 
bett, and Timothy HoUoway, their heirs and assigns, by these presents, 
that the said jnemises now be and at all time and times hereafter shall 
be. remaine and c*>ntinue and abide unto the said .lohn Hathway. Edward 
Bobbett, and Timothy Holloway, their heirs and assigns freely acquitted 
exonerated and discharged, or otherwise from time to time and at all 
times hereafter, well and sufficiently saved, defended and Kept harmless 
ott' and from all and all manner of former and other bargains and sales, 
gifts, grants, feofments, joyntures, dower, title of dower estates, mort- 
gages, forfeitures, seizures, judgments, extents, executions and all other 
acts and incumbrances whatsoever had, made, done, acknowledged ami 
committed by the said Nicholas Street or any other person or persons 
claiming or having any title or interest of in or to the said demised prem- 
ises or any part thereof, or any of the appurtenances thereof, by from or 
under him the said Nicholas Street or his assigns, or done or committed 
by the assent, demand or procurement of the said Nicholas Street or his 
assigns, or by any other person or persons whatsoever, whereby the said 
John Hathway, Edward Bobbett. or Timothy Holloway or any of them 
or the heirs or assigns of them or any of them, shall or may be lawfully 
evicted out of the possession or enjoyment thereof or of any part or par- 
cel thereof as aforesaid provided the said John Hathway, Edward Bob- 
bett and Timothy Holloway, or some crone of them, or the heirs. Execu- 
tors, Administrators of them or some or one of them, shall pay or cause 
to be paid unto the said James Wyatt and Gecuge Macey. attorneys as 
aforesaid unto the said Nicholas Street, and to and for the use of him the 
said Nicholas Street, the sum of one hundred pounds, for the nature of 
pay and time and place of payment, according to tlie tenor of that mort- 
gage of the premises agreed upon. To be sealed by them, the .said John 
Hathway, Edward Bobbett, and Timothy Holloway; but if therein they 
shall fail and forfeit the premises in case of nonpayment the next afore- 
said covenant in point of warranty to be of no force against the said 
Wyatt and Macey, anything in these presents, to tlie contrary thereof in 
any wise notwithstanding, and also the said James Wyatt and <ieoige 
Macey doth further covenant promise and grant to ami with, the said 
John Hathway, Edward Bobbett, and Timothy Holloway. tliat wlien the 
purchase money due for the said bargaineil jiremises is as aforesaid jtaid 
and satisfied, according to time and place of payment, and nature of pay. 
then thev the said James Wvatt and George Macev. or one of them shall 



APPENDIX. 259 

and will deliver ov eaiise to be delivered, all and singular such evidences 
and writings that they have or can procure only touching or concerning 
the premises severally with the said mortgage agreed to be sealed for 
security as aforesaid, and acknowledge satisfaction of the said debt upon 
the record thereof if the said mortgage shall be recorded; and lastly that 
when tlie said debt or sum is fully paid, as aforesaid, tlie said James 
Wyatt and (ieorge Macey, shall and will perform, and do or cause to be 
performed and done any such further act or acts as they the said James 
Wyatt and (ieorge Macey shall thereunto advised or required by the said 
John Hath way, Edward Bobbett, and Timothy Holloway, or their or any 
of their assigns, for a more full and perfect conveying and assuring the 
said baigaincd premises, and every part thereof unto the said John Hath- 
way. Edward Uobbett. and Timothy Hollo way their heirs and assigns. 

In witness whereof the said James Wyatt and George Macey have 
hereunto put their hands and seals the day of In 

tlie year of our l.ord one thousand si.x hundred fifty and eight. 

James Wyatt and a [seal. J 
signed, sealed. (leorge Macey and a [seal. J 

and delivereil in 

I presence of, 
^William Poole. 
y^ Walter Deane, 
y^ William Harvey. 

24t 
SOI 
tW( 



This deed was acknowledgetl by James Wyatt and George Macey the 
24th of .June U>(v!. 

Before me, John Aldin 

Assistant. 
(Ply. Eec. of Deeds, Vol. III. p. ISO. 



By another deed dated February 9, 1669, William Bradford, 
son of Gov. Bradford, confirmed the title, and in consideration of 
o pounds, gave a new deed of the same, as follows : 

To all unto whom these presents shall come. Greeting: Whereas, 
the Honorable, the Council Established at Plimouth, in the County of 
Devon, for the planting, ruling, ordering and Governing of New England 
in America, by ver.tue and authority of Lett"^* Patent under the Great 
Seal of England from our late Soverainge Lord King James the first, 
bearing date at Westminister in the eighteenth year of his sd Mat'e* Keign 
of England. For and in consideration that William Bradford, Esq'* and 
his Associates had of their own proper cost and charges planted and in- 
habited a Town called by the name of New Plimouth in Xew England as 
aforesd, and for their better encouragement to proceed in so pious a work 
especially tending to the propagation of Religion and the Great encour- 



260 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

agement of trade to his Maties Realms, and Advancement to the Publick 
Plantation. The said Council by their Patent or Grant under their Corn- 
on Seal, Signed by the Right Honourable Robert Earle, of Warwick, 
President of sd Council, bearing date the thirteenth day of January, in 
the fifth year of the reign of our late Soverainge Lord King Charles, the 
first Anno Dom. 102!), did give, grant, Enfeoffe, Assigne and conlirme unto 
the said William Bradford, his heires Associates and Assigns forever, All 
that part of New England in America aforesaid. And Tract or Tracts of 
lands That lye within or between a certaine Rivulet or Runlet comonly 
called Coahasset, alias Conahasset towards the north. And the River 
comonly called Narhaganset River towards the south, and the (^reat 
Ocean towards the East, And between and within a straight line directly 
extending up into the Main land towards the West, from the mouth of 
the said River called Narhaganset River to the utmost limets or bounds 
of A country or Place in New England, comonly called Pocanocket Alias 
Sowamset, Westward, And another like straight line extending itself di- 
rectly from the mouth of sd River Coahasset, alias Conahasset, towards 
the West so far up into the Main land westward as the utmost limits of 
the s<i place or country comonly called Pockanocket, alias Sowamset, do 
extend. And all Lands, Rivers, waters, havens, situate, lying and being or 
Arising within or between the said limmits and bounds, or any of them. 
And thereof were put into peaceable and quiet jjossession as in and by 
the sd Grant and endorsement thereon, reference thereto being had will 
more fully and at large appear; And whereas the said William Bradford, 
and his Associates, in the year of our Lord God one thousand six hun- 
dred and thirty eight, did grant unto M"". Nicholas Street and Mr. Hooke 
jointly, A tract of land for a farme of four hvmdred acres of upland and 
about thirty acres of meadow lying together in the limets and bounds of 
Taunton, And at the going away of said Hooke from Taunton he sold his 
part of sd farm to M"" Nicholas Street, And when the said Street went 
from Taunton he sold the farme and foresaid land to Jonathan Hatha- 
way sen'r Edward Bobbett senr and Timothy Holloway, all of Taunton, 
in the County of Bristol, And the said farme lyeth in the County of 
Bristol within his Mat'es territory and Dominion in New England in 
America, being part of the lands contained within the limits and bound- 
aries Expressed in the aforecited Patent or Graunt from the Council 
Established at Plimouth in the County of Devon for Planting, Ruling, 
ordering and governing of New England in America vmto the said Wil- 
liam Bradford, his heirs. Associates and Assigns. Now know yee, that 
I, William Bradford of New Plymoutli, in the County of Plimouth, with- 
in his Maties Territory and Dominion of New England, Esqe, son and Heir 
of the above named William Bradford, Esqe, deceased, for and in consid- 
eration of the sum of two pounds in current money of New England to 
me in hand i)aid at and befoie the ensealing and delivery of these pres- 



APPENDIX. 261 

ents, well and truly paid by John Hatliaway, Edward Bobbctt and Sam- 
uel Holloway and William Phillips, one of the heirs of the late deceased 
James Phillips, which sd Samuel Holloway and James Phillips, late de- 
ceased, purchased his the said Timothy Holloway' s part of said far me, 
which said persons and the Proprietors of said tract of land or farm 
aforesaid, and are ancient enjoyers and settlers and planters of the said 
farme for thirty years and upwards And the receipt of sd money I do 
hereby acknowledge And for divers other good causes and considerations 
me thereunto especially moving, have granted, remised, released, ap- 
proved, ratified, confirmed and forever quitclaimed, and by these presents 
do for me and my heirs fully and absolutely graunt, remise, release, ap- 
prove, ratify, confirm and forever quitclaim unto the said John Hatha- 
way, Edward Bobbett, Samuel Holloway and William Phillips, their 
heirs and assigns forever, to the onely use and behoof of themselves and 
their heirs and assigns forever, In their full and peaceable possession and 
seizen now being according to their and every of them respective rights, 
title and interest, All and singular the right, title and interest, inheri- 
tance, use, propertie, possession, claim and demand whatsoever of me 
the said William Bradford of in and unto all and singular the messuages 
and tenements, lands, grounds, soils lying situate within the limits and 
bounds of sd farme, as they have been anciently stated and set forth and 
are now described and bounded lying on the East side of Taunton Great 
River bounded on the south side in part by Assonet Neck, and in part by 
the old line of the Town of Taunton and on the north side by a black oak 
marked near a spring called the Iron Spring one end butts in part upon 
the meadow of Captain William Peele, Mrs jane Farewell and William 
Hailstone and in part upon the Great River running along by the River 
side as far as Assonet N«ck, and so running along by the side of said 
Necke until it comes to the head of a meadow called by the name of 
Smiths Cove to a marked tree by the side of sd Neck, and from said tree 
to another white oak marked at the head of sd Cove, and from said white 
oak to run to Taunton line northerly so that Taunton line and that line 
make a square at the head of said Cove, and so to run by Taunton line to 
Assonet way, and so to run upon a straight line a little above a pine tree 
new cut down, and so extends about three-quarters of a mile upon that 
line near John Richmond's field, and then turns the corner and so run- 
neth down the Plain along by a Pine tree fallen down, and from thence 
West, and by north until it comes to said marked tree near the Iron 
Spring. Together with all waters, brooks, ponds, creeks, coves, meadows, 
swamps, fishing hereditaments, royalty, minerals, profits, privileges and 
comodities Whatsoever, situate, lying and being, arising, happening or 
accruing, or which shall arise, happen or accrue on or within the limits 
aforesaid. The meadow of Captain William Poole, and Mrs. Jane Fare- 
well and William Hailstone onely excepted. To have and to hold all and 



262 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

siiimilar tlic hk'ssu;i<;cs oi' tenements, lands, jinninds. and soils, and all the 
aforementioned to be (iranted and released i)remises with the members 
and appurtenances tlieret)f contained within the bounds and limits afore- 
said unto tlie said John Hathaway, Edward Bobbett and Samuel Hollo- 
way and William Phillii)s. their heirs and assions forever, aceordinf; to 
their each and every of their particular several tt respective estate, rij;lit. 
title and interest whatsoever in and to the premises or to any part oi- 
parcel therein severally and not joyntly with the rights, members, privi- 
leges, comodities and appurtenances thereof, so that I the said William 
Bradford nor my heirs shall or may from hence forth have claim or de- 
mand any Estate, right, title or intesest in or to the sd granted and re- 
leased premises or any part or parcel thereof but of and from all action 
of right, title, interest, claim and demand thereunto wc and every nf us 
to be utter excluded and forever debarred by these presents. To be 
holdcn of his Majesty as of his manour of East (Greenwich in the ( ounty 
of Kent, within the Realm of England, in free and common soccage an 
not in capite nor Knight service, yielding and paying to our Sovereign 
Lord the King, his heirs and successors forever, (nie-fifth part of the ore 
of the mines of gold and silver, and one lifth ))art to the President and 
Council which shall be had possessed and obtained within the jnecincts 
aforesaid for all service and demands whatsoever as is expressed in the 
forerecited patent or (xraunt from the ("ouncil Established at Plimouth. 
And I the said William Bradford, and my heirs, all and singular, the said 
premises Avith the appurtenances unto the said John Hathaway. Edward 
Bobbett, Sanuiel Holloway and William Phillips, their heirs and assigns 
forever, and to the ouely use and behoof of themselves, their heirs and 
assigns forever, according to their each and every of their several partic- 
ular proportion, right, title. Estate and interest therein respectively, 
against me and my heirs shall and will Wairant and forever defend by 
these presents. 

In witness whereof. 1. William Bradford have licr( 
and seal, this ninth day of February one thousand si 
eight nine. 

signed, sealed and Willi; 

delivered in presence of us 
Joseph Bradford 
Kenelm Baker 
Elisha Wadsworth 

December -27 l(iSi>, Major AVilliam Bi-adford wliose liand and seal is 
hereunto set and affixed, personally ajipi-arcd and owned and .uknow 1- 
edged this Instrument to lie his voluntary and free act and deed. iSetort^ 
Daniel Smith. Assistant, Entered and Becorded. 

.\pril "Jlth Ki'.ll. ]ter Samuel Sprague, Becordcr. 

(Ply. Col. Bee. of Deeds. Vol. V. p. 4.V.I.) 



iito set m 


y hail. I 


Imndicd 


'ciglity 


r.raiiforc 


1 
[seal.] 



APPENDIX. 



263 



APPENDIX F. 



[Page 35.1 



These seven were the only original freemen, and became prom- 
inent and influential men in town, and largely established its char- 
acter and position in the colony. Their services were so important 
that in 1641, the Court gratefully voted them a grant of land in 
these words : 

■'Whereas those seaueii tirst freemen, men of Taunton, that banc 
vnderf>one great trauell and charges about the attending of tlie Courts. 
laying out of lands, and other occations for the tonne, it is thought meetc 
by the goument that therefore they haue a pporcon of land in convenyent 
place lying together assigned them, so that it exceede not the qnantyty 
of fourty acrees apeece. besides thother ppporcons of lands in other 
places as of other of the inhabits of the said towne of Taunton banc, 
when the said lands sball come to be deuided hereafter." (2 Ply. Col. 
Kec. p. 18.) 



APPENDIX G. 

IPagc 35.] 

Tresuniably Captain Pool's company had considerably increavsed in 
the next four years, for in 1643, a list of "all the males able to beare 
Annes from xvl Yeares old to (30 yeares, within the seurall Towneshipps" 
was made, by order of the General Court, and Taunton's list contained 
fifty four names, as follows: (8 Ply. Col. Rec. p. 195.) 

Edward Bobbett, 
Richard Paule, 



Mr. John Browne, 
Wr. Willm Poole, 
John Browne. 
James Browne. 
James Walker, 
Oliver Purchase, 
Thomas Gilbert, 
Richard >Stacye, 
Willm HoUway, 
Tymothy Hollway, 
Wilm Parker, 
Peter Pitts, 
John Parker, 



Anthony Slocomc. 
Edward Case, 
Thomas Farewell, 
Tobias Saunders, 
Henry Andrewes, 
John Gallop, 
John Gilbert, Junr. 
John Stronge, 
Thom Cassell, 
John Deane, 
Edward Abbott, 



264 



QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 



Willm Hailstone. 
Wrn. Hodges, 
Willm Phillips, 
John Maycuniber, 
Thomas Coggin, 
James Wyatt, 
Edward Rew, 
Thom Harvey, 
James Chichester, 
Willm Seward, 
Aron Knapp, 
John Barratt, 
Nicholas Hart, 
Willm Powell 



Walter Deane, 
Wm. Wetherell. 
Hezekiah Horc, 
George Macie, 
Georg Hall, 
John Perry, 
Benjamin Wilson, 
Mr. Street, 
Richard Williams, 
Willm Evans, 
Christopher Thrasher, 
Thomas Cooke, 
Thom Cooke, Jr., 
John Gingell. 



APPENDIX H. 



[Page 36.] 



The law passed Mar. 5, 1638, establishing the representative 
system in the Colony was as follows : 

" Whereas complaint was made that the ffrcmcn were put to many 
inconveniences and great expense by their continuall attendance at the 
Courts, It is therefore enacted by the Court for the ease of the severall 
colonies and Townes within the Government, That every To'wne shall 
make choyce of two of their ffremen, and the Towne of Plymouth of 
foure to be Committee or Deputies, to joyne with the Bench to enact 
and make all such lawes and ordinances as shall be judged to be good 
and wholesome for the whole. Provided that the lawes they doe enact 
shal be propounded one Court, to be considered upon untill the next 
Court, and then to be confirmed if they shal be approved of (except the 
case require present confirmacon). And if any act shall be confirmed by 
the Bench and Committees, which, upon further deliberacon, shall prove 
prejudicial to the whole, That the ffremen at the nextelecon Court after 
meeting together, may repeal the same and enact any other usefuU for 
the whole; and that every Township shall beare their Committees 
charges; and that such as are not ffreemen, but have taken the Oath of 
fidelitie, and are masters of famyliesand Inhabitants of the said Townes, 
as they are to beare their part in the charges of the Committees, so to 
have a vote in the choyce of them, provided they choose them only of 
the ffreemen of the said Town whereof they are; but if any such Com- 



APPENDIX. 265 

mittees shall be insufficient or ti'oublesome, that then the Bench and the 
other Committees may dismiss them, and the Towne to choose other 
tfreemen in their place. " 

(Ply. Col. Rec. Vol. XI. p. :U; Compact, Charter and Laws of New 
Ply. p. 03. This statute was re-enacted in 1658, and the pay of the dep- 
uties fixed at 2s. Hd. per day. ) 

The first new General Court met on the 4th day of June, 1639. In 
that year the Committees or deputies " for eich Towne " as stated in 
Ply. Rec. Vol. I. p. 126, were 

{Mr. John Done,t 
William Paddy, || 
Manasseth Kempton, 
John Cooke, Jr. 
John Dunhanie, 

Vnv ni,vhnv.<iw i Jonathan Brewster, 
toi Uuxboiiow. j Edmund Chaundler, 

u, ., •, , I Anthony Annable, 

Porhctuate. J Edward Foster, 

( Richard Burne. 
For Sandwich. } Thomas Armittage,| 
( Mr. John Vincent, 
( Capt. Willm Poole,! 
} Mr. John Gilbert, 
( Henry Andrewes, 



For Cohannet 
For Yarmouth. 



( Thomas Payne. 
) Philip Tabor, 
For Barnestable, \ Mr. Joseph Hull, 



made in December Court, ) Mr. Thom Dimmack. 
1639. ' 

t No explanation is given of the reason why five names are given lor Plymouth, 
and three for Sandwich and Cohannet. It may have been because too many were 
elected, and so erased ; but the law iirovided only four for Plymouth, and two for 
every other town. 

II The last two from Taunton in ItiOl, the last General Court at Plymouth, were 
John Hall and John Hathaway. 



APPENDIX I. 

[Page 36.] 



The vote of the town authorizing the building of the first saw 
mill was in these words : 

"Jan. 5, 1659. It is voted and agreed by the town that Henry An- 
drews and John Macomber shall have liberty to erect or set up a saw 
mill on the Mill River, if it be not found hurtful to the grist mill, upon 



266 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

these terms following: That the inhabitants of the town shall have lib- 
erty to bring what timber they shall think meet, either pine, chestnut, 
or cedar, and what timber any of the inhabitants shall bring as above- 
said they shall deliver the one half of it again to him that brought it. 
sawing either to boards or planks as the inhabitants shall see cause. 

And what other boards the inhabitants abovesaid shall need for 
their own particular case, the said Henry Andrews and John Macombcr 
shall sell them at the rate of four shillings to a hundred ordinary town 
pay, and this abovesaid mill to be in some forwardness within one year 
after the date hereof, or else this order to be of no effect. " 

The mill was probably soon erected, for we find the town 
again voting under date of Jan. 2, 1664, "that the fish shall have a 
convenient passage up and down the Mill River. "' 

In April 16fi4, William Witherell and Gyles Gilbert were complained 
of for disturbing said saw mill, and ordered to recognize in the sum of 
20 pounds each, the cause for which is thus stated (4 Ply. Col. Rec. p. ofi) 
" That whereas James Walker, being a ptenor in the Saw Mills at Taun- 
ton, complained of great hurt done to the said Saw Mill by som psons 
that came in the night in a feleonious manor and stole away severall 
things and did great spoile and left a libellous paper behind them; and 
it being suspected that the above bounden William Witherell and Gyles 
Gilbert were the psons, or some of them, that have done the said mis- 
chiffe, they, the said William Witherell and Gyles Gilbert, being suni- 
oned appeered at Plymouth before the Gov and Captaine Southworth. 
on the day and yeare above first written, and being examined, it ap- 
peared that they were guilty in the aforesaid particulars, and therfore 
the said majistrates saw cause to take the said bonds of them for theire 
good behavior &c. " 

At the next General Court in May, 1664, Josepth Gray and 
Samuell Linkon were complained of for the same offence, and gave 
bonds in like manner for their good behavior. Thereupon they 
retaliated by complaining of the owners of the saw mill for not 
leaving a sufficient passage for the fish, which resulted in the fol- 
lowing order. (4 Ply. Col. Rec. p. 57.) 

" Whereas, att this Court, the above bounded Josepth Gray and 
Samuell Linkorne, together with George Watson, complained of great 
wrong, sustained not onely by them, but by the whole towne of Taun- 
ton, by James Walker his neglecting, according to engagement, to leave 
a sufficient passage for the herrings or alewiucs to goe vp in the riuer on 
which the saw mill standeth, the Court directed an order to the con- 



APPENDIX. 267 

stable of Taunton, to reciuiie him to signify vntothe said James Walker 
that hee speedily take course that a free passage bee left for the goeing 
vp of the alewiues in the said riuer whiles yett some pte of the season 
remaines of theire goeing vpp. " (Ply. Col. Rec. Vol. IV. p. 57.) 

Apparently this order did not accomplish the purpose, for at 
the June Court, 1664, another order was passed : 

" In reference to the complaint of sundry of the inhabitants of the 
towne of Taunton against .James Walker and others, for the restraining 
of the alewiues from goeing vp according to their vsuall manner by rea- 
son of a sawmill in theire herring riuer, by which obstruction of the. 
said fish the said towne hath and is in danger to sulfer much damage, 
this Court hath ordered, that betwixt this date and the next season of 
the fishes goeing vp, they, the said owners of the mill shall make or 
cause to be made a free full and sufficient passage for the goeing vp of 
the said fish, or otherwise, vpon the further complaint of the towne, the 
Court will take an effectuall course that the same shall be done." (Ply. 
Col. Rec. Vol. IV. p. (5(5. ) 

At the same Court (p. (>(>) Witherell, Gilbert, Gray and Linkorne 
" were sentenced by the Court to pay each a fine of twenty shillings for 
an abuse done to a saw mill att Taunton belonging to James Walker and 
others, by comeing in the night and breaking downe some pte of the said 
mill, and for takeing away severall things from the same. " 

Thus far the contest might be called a "draw game," but W'il- 
liam Witherell was not discouraged. He commenced a suit against 
the mill owners, and in 1666, recovered a judgment, which is thus 
recorded : 

"George Watson, Gyles Gilbert, and William Witherly complained 
against James Walker, Robert Crosman, John Maycomber, and Nicholas 
White, in an action of trespas on the case, to the damage of an hundred 
pounds, for hindering the fish from haueing a convenient passage vp 
and downe the Mill Riuer att Taunton, by the worke about the saw mill, 
contrary to the inhabitants of the towne of Taunton, and contrary to the 
promise of the said James Walker, all which hath bine great damage to 
the complainants and others. 

The jury find for the plaintiffes, that a sufficient passage be made 
by the defendants att the Mill Riuer att Taunton for the fish where they 
vsually goe vp and downe, where the saw mill or dam now erected is an 
annoyance to the said fish, the expence of time and the cost of the 
suite. " (Ply. Col. Rec. Vol. VII. Page 131.) 



268 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

APPENDIX J. 

^ [Page 38.1 

The following letter from Robert Treat Paine in 1774, shows 
that Taunton had the same difificulty in those days as now, in se- 
curing her supposed just proportion of the herring fishery. 

Province of 
Massachusetts Bay 

To his Excellency Thomas Hutchinson Esq. 
To the Honorable his Majestys Council And the 
honorable the House of Representatives in General 
Court assembled the twenty sixth day of January 
1774. 
humbly shew the Inhabitants of the Town of Taunton in the County of 
Bristol by Daniel Leonard & Robert Treat Paine, Esqrs. their Agents 
for this purpose duly appointed, that the Great A Generall Court of this 
Province have in their great Wisdom & Care from time to time enacted 
divers Laws to prevent the destruction of Alewives & other Fish, and 
have endeavored to regulate the taking of Alewives in such a manner, 
as that the Communitys who, without such Laws would have the natural 
Ixight of taking them, should under such Regulation take as large a pro- 
portion of them as is consistent with the necessary Preservation of said 
Fish. 

that the General Court held in May 1765 passed a Law forbidding 
Alewives to be taken any otherwise than by Scoop Netts, saving an al- 
lowance to take them in Taunton Great River two days in the week by 
Seines or Drag Netts allowing two Seines to each Town in the County of 
Bristol, after it shall be known that they have been at Middleboro in the 
Spring of the Year annually, which Law is still in force by a continua- 
tion of the same to November Anno Domini 1775. 

The said Town of Taunton beg leave humbly to represent, that there 
are some circumstances attending said Town which they Apprehend 
render that allowance not so sufficient for said Town, as the General 
Court might think it was when said Law was made. 

That the Alewives in their course from the ocean to the Pond to cast 
their spawn are obliged to come up Taunton Great River through the 
centre of the Town, that there is a small River called Mill River in sd 
Town which empties into the Great River in said Town; that the Ale- 
wives used formerly to go up said Mill River in much greater quantitys 
than they have done for many years past, & were used to be taken with 
Scoop Netts in considerable quantitys, but for a number of years past 
they have in great measure left said Mill River, A- keep their course 



APPENDIX. 269 

up the Great River to Middleboro Bridgewater & other Towns, by means 
whereof very few are taken in said Mill River, not sufficient to pay the 
expense of taking them, & there is no other place in said Taunton where 
the Alewives can be taken with Scoop Netts. 

Your Petitioners beg leave to assert, what they are certain will ap- 
pear upon examination, that it has not been owing to any defects in the 
Town of Taunton in not keeping the passage ways open up said Mill 
River according to the Laws of this Province in such case provided, that 
the Alewives have left said River, & proceed up the Great River to the 
Towns above; for the passages through the Damms on said Mill River 
have always been carefully kept open according to said Laws, which in 
the nature of the thing proves very detrimental to the Mills on said River 
which by means thereof are obliged to stand still at a Time when the 
plenty of water & clemency of the Season would render it most profit- 
able for them to work 

Your Petitioners would further represent, that the Alewives passing 
by said Mill River proceed up to Middleboro & other Towns where they 
are taken by Scoop Netts with great Ease, and at Middleboro in great 
plenty, so that for many years past the chief of the Alewives that have 
passed up Taunton Great River which have been taken, have been taken 
at Middleboro, And that this always will be the case unless the Town of 
Taunton are allowed to take Alewives by Drag Netts as well as Dip Netts. 

Your Petitioners would further Represent that ever since the mak- 
ing the above said Law allowing two Seines two stated days in the week 
they have diligently improved that priviledge but from experience it 
turns out, that that allowance is not so great as at first it apjiears to be, 
for that those stated days often prove stormy, & even if the weather be 
fair the Alewives do not run on some days as on others. 

From all which your Petitioners apprehend it appears that the said 
Town of Taunton can't enjoy their just proportion of the Fish that are 
allowed to be taken, as the Law now stands & that taking the chance of 
Seasons with great Submission we apprehend that if the Town of Taun- 
ton were allowed to draw six seines, four days in the week they would 
not get their proportion with the Town of Middleboro, that on the whole 
more Alewives would not be taken, but only more of them would be 
taken at Taunton, as the times for taking them at Taunton & the Towns 
above might be the same. 

Your Petitioners have no desire to frustrate the good Intention of 
the wholesome Laws made for the preservation of the Alewives but as 
they apprehend they are entitled by nature to at least as great a propor- 
tion of Alewives as the Inhabitants of Middleboro & the other Towns & 
jm on some accounts more, they think it hard to have the Alewives pass by 
■ their Doors thro the Heart of their Town without such a regulation of 
B the taking them that they may get their proportion of those proper to be 

k 



270 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

taken, & to be obliged to undergo the expense «fe trouble of going to 
Middleboro to buy the very Fish that went by their Doors «fe through 
two large expensive Bridges over said Great Kiver which they have 
erected & are obliged to maintain for the public conveniency 

Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray that your Excellency & 
Honours would provide for the relief of the said Town in the premises 
by allowing the Inhabitants thereof to draw six seines four days in the 
week during the running of said Fish or otherwise relieve your Petition- 
ers as to your Excellency & Honours shall seem meet and your Petition- 
ers as in duty bound shall ever pray 

Robt. Treat Paine 
Danl. Leonard. 
In the House of Representatives March 2, 1774. 

Head and ordered that Henry Gardner and Benjamin Lincoln Esqrs. with 
such as the Hon. Board shall join be a Committee to take this Petition 
together with the Petitioners of the towES of Bridge water & Middleboro 
all of them praying for the regulating the Alewive Fishery in Taunton 
Gieat River: and to repair, the next season of the passing of said Fish 
up said River, to the Town of Taunton & the several Towns thro or by 
which said River runs or any stream or streams run or pass into said 
River, in which stream or streams said Fish pass up and Report to this 
Court at the next Session thereof what new regulations, if any, are nec- 
essary to be made for taking Alewives in Taunton Great River and the 
several Branches or streams running into the same. 

sent up for Concurrence T. Gushing Spkr. 

In Council March M 1774 is Read & Concurred, 
and Artemas Ward is joined in the affair. 

Jno. Cotton D. Secry. 

(State Arch. Vol. 87. p. 508.) 



APPENDIX K. 

(IMji-e .39.) 

Bradford in his history, p. loi, speaking of the first marriage 
at Plymouth, between Edward W'inslow ;ind Mrs. Susannah NA'hite, 
says : 

"May 12, 1(521, was y«' first marriage in this place, which, according 
to y laudable custome of y Low Countries in which they had lived, was 
thought most leijuisifc to be performed by the magistrate as being a 



I 



APPENDIX. 271 

civill thing . . . and most consonant to y*" sciipturs, Kuth 4, and no wher 
found in ye gospell to be layd on y*" ministers as a part of their ofBce . . . 
And this practiss hath continued amongst not only them, but hath been 
followed by all y'" famous churches of Christ in these parts to this time. 
--Ano : 164G. " 

The solemnization of marriage by the civil authority alone, to 
the exclusion of the minister, was at first sustained only by public 
opinion', not by positive law. But in 1671 it was enacted by the 
General Court of Massachusetts^ 

" That no person in this Jurisdiction shall joyne any persons to- 
gether in marriage, but the Magistrate, or such other as the Court shall 
authorize in such place where no magistrate is near, nor shall any joyn 
themselves in marriage, but before some Magistrate, or person author- 
ized as aforesaid. " 

It was not until 1692 that the Provincial Statute provided that 
"every Justice of the Peace within the County where he resides, 
and every settled minister in any town, shall and are hereby re- 
spectively inipowerd and authorized to solemnize marriages &c. " 

The fee for each marriage was three shillings. 

(I Prov. Sts. c. 25. p. 61.) 

See an interesting article on this subject in the Atlantic 
Monthly of April, 1888, by Frank Gaylord Cooke, Esq., of the 
Boston Bar. 



APPENDIX L. 

[Page 40.] 

The act creating the office of town clerk in 1646 was in these 
words : 

"It is enacted by the Court that there shalbee in euery towne with- 
in this (iou ment a Clarke or some one appointed and ordeined to keep 
a Regester of the day and yeaie of the marriage beirth and buriall of 
euery man woman and child within theire towneship; and to haue 
thripence apece for each ptculare pson soe registered; and further it is 
enacted that euery father or mother and next in lelation shall certify to 
the towne clarke or register keeper the name and day of the beirth of 
euery child soe borne in his house within one mouth next after it is 



272 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

borne or bee fined for euery such default three shillings the one half to 
the Gou nient and the other halfe moyetie thereof to the clarke or reg- 
ister keeper vpon his complaint and that euery pson married shall signi- 
fy his and her name with the day on which they are married vnto the 
said clarke or register keeper within one month next after his said mar- 
riage vpon the like penaltie of three shillings the one halfe thereof to 
the vse of the Collonie; and the other halfe to the said clarke or register 
keeper vpon his complaint and alsoe that euery master or mistris of the 
family in which any pson or pson next in relation to them soe dead shall 
giue notice vnto the said Clarke or register keeper; the name of the pson 
and the day of his said buriall and in defect thereof to forfeit three shil- 
lings for every default; the one half to the Gou ment and the other halfe 
to the clarke or register keeper upon his complaint; and that the clarke 
or register keeper of each township shall exhibite a true and pfect Coppy 
fairly written annually att March Courts vnto the Court of the beirthes 
marriages and burialls of the yeare past; and lastly that the clarke or 
register keeper of euery Township shall publish all the contracts of mar- 
riages and haue twelve pence for his fees for euery marriage as hee pub- 
lisheth orderly; (Ply, Col. Rec. p. 52 and p. 189.) 

THE OATH OF A TOWNE CLARKE. 

You shall faithfully serue in the office of a Towne Clarke of the 
Towne of for this prsent yeare and soe long as by mutuall Con- 

sent the Towne and you shall agree during which time you shall care- 
fully and faithfully keep all such Records as you shalbee Intrusted with- 
all; and shall record all towne acts and orders and shall enter all Towne 
graunts and Conveyances you shall record all beirtes marriages and 
burialls that shalbee brought vnto you within youer towne and shall 
publish all Contracts of marriages you shalbee required to doe accord- 
ing to order of Court bearing date the 20th day of October I04(i soe healp 
you God; (XI Ply. Col. Rec. p. 107 and p. 190. j 

How soon after this law Taunton chose a town clerk, is not 
now certainly known, but in an old record book of the town, re- 
cently discovered we read that, 

" Upon March 7th 1654 at a general town meeting warned by John 
Deane Constable of Taunton was Oliver Purchis chosen to be the Towne 
Clarke to keep all registers and records appertaining to town matters 
according to order of Court, and to take his oathe according to order of 
Court also for a man sustaining legal office. " 

The first record of the election of Shadrach Wilbore as town 
clerk, in 1664, reads thus: 



APPENDIX. 273 

•'The Town clerk chosen for the present year being this sixth of 
Marcli, 1(!64, or 5, is Shadrach Wilbore, and so to continue as lono; as lie 
the said Clerk and the town shall agree. 

And it is voted and agreed by the town this sixth of March. 1604-") 
that tl'.e said r:ierk shall have of the town twenty shillings by the year. 

And it is voted and agreed by the town at a town meeting, that the 
said town commit to the said Town Clerk to keep the Town liook and 
tlie Registry the day and year above written. '" (Prop. Rec. p. ) 



APPENDIX La. 

[Page 40.] 

No doubt before the law actually so reqi/iret/, the town had 
found it necessary to select some of its wisest men, to whom as 
a2;ents was intrusted the management of town affairs ; for in the 
earliest records of the town, kept by Oliver Purchis, and which 
have recently been discovered in an old junk store in Boston, we 
read that so early as December, 1643, the town voted — 

"That seven men be yearly chosen to order towne affairs 
"That these seven shall meet six times in a year at some convenient 
place to consider and order town matters, and to hear and arbitrate dif- 
ferences. 

That these seven shall have power to determine of all trespasses and 
debts under three pounds, and none to enter any suits in court for such 
trespasses or debts without their consent. 

That these shall have power (consent hereunto of the Magistrates and 
General Court for this patent being first obtained) to give warrant to 
destrain or attach for such debts oi- trespasses, as likewise for notes that 
are or .shall be unpaid. 

That no inhabitant, or other that hath a homelott, shall buy any other 
homelott, but with the consent of these seven, 
(illegible) 

as also that these shall have power to ad unto any mans division upland 
according to their discretion. 

Item: That it shall be in the power of the said seven men according to 
their discretions to divide and distribute the said lands unto the said 
inhabitants according as they shall from time to time see needful and 
convenient. 



k 



274 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

That these shall have power to admitt as inhabitants and to dispose to 
them either certain small portions of lands without giving them rights 
in other divisions, or to admitt them to all divisions with others accord- 
ing to their discretions, but not to admitt any to a certain quantity ex- 
ceeding ten acres, without the consent of the towne. 

That when any shall be proposed to them for admission they shall first 
acquaint the Towne therewith, and not to receive them as inhabitants 
till all just exceptions are removed. 

That these shall have power to dispose of small quantities of land yt lye 
not within ye compass of g (probably great) divisions, to any inhabi- 
tant ye standeth in need, and also f — (probably for) conveniency accord- 
ing to ye (probably discretion) of ye seven. 

That a convenient quantity of meadow down the river be reserved to be 
divided by the same proportion and rule of other meadow and upland 
according to ye discretion of these seven either to after commers, or to 
such as shall be possessed of lots of those who have left the place as they 
(illlegible) shall think good, (illegible) such (illegible)"* 

Under date of March 1645, the same records show another 
vote of the town in these words : 

" Item : These seven men which shall be yearly chosen shall have power 
to divide and dispose of lots and parcels of ye meadow called hcaddings 
Moore, according as from time to time they shall see needful unto such 
who shall be deemed mete by their necessities of fodr for theii' cattle, 
until the said medow be wholly disposed; this act is repealed, only 
James Wyatt's grant of six acres within the said medow before this re- 
peal, and is provided that he shall have no part in any other division of 
ye said medow. 

Item : At ye aforesaid day were chosen for ye seven men these follow- 
ing for ye yeare. 

Henry Andiews Otis Olney 

George Hall John Strong 

Edward Case Richard Williams 

William Parker Walter Deane" 

1G47. From the deed to Henry Andrews in 1047, of the "calf pasture, " 
it seems that these seven in that year were John Strong, Oliver I'urchis, 
Walter Deane, Richard Williams, Edward Case, (the name of the other 
two are not given in the deed) 

The record above referred to contains also these elections of selected 
men. 

March 9, 1G48. There is chosen for the following yeaie 1(>49 to be the 
seven men to order the Towne affairs. Mr. Thomas Gilbert. Walter 



APPENDIX. 275 

Deane, Edward Case, James Wyatt, Richard Williams, George Masey, 
Oliver Purchis. 

March 7, 1G19. It is mutually choseu to serve as seven men for the pres- 
ent yeare following, as followeth : 

Richard Williams, Walter Deane 

Henry Andrews William Parker 

James Wyatt James Walker 

Oliver Purchis. 

April the sixth, 1650. There is chosen to serve men to order Towne af- 
fairs for this present yeare, viz: 

Richard Williams James Wyatt 

James Walker George Macey 

William Parker JnO. Tisdall 

Oliver Purchis 

March the 11th. 1G51. There is chosen for the yeare following viz, 1652, 

to serve as seven men to order Towne affairs. 

Lieut. Wyatt Richard Williams 

Walter Deane William Parker 

Mr. Thomas Gilbert James Walker 

Oliver Purchis 

January the 15th. Ano. 1650. This agreed by the towne that these five 

men, to wit, Captaine Poole, Deacon Williams, Deacon Deane, James 

Wyatt and George Hall, shall order all matters in and about the erecting 

seats in the meeting house, and shall seate the inhabitants according to 

their discretion. " (these may or may not have been the same as chosen 

to order town affairs) 

1657. These were for the year. Captain William Poole, George Hall, Mr. 

William Parker, Lieut. James Wyatt and John Deane. 

December the 27th. 1658. The 5 men chosen to order towne affairs are 

Richard Williams, Wm. Parker, George Mase, John Tisdale, James 

Walker" 

The law creating the legal office of Selectmen may be found in 
2 Ply. Col. Records, p. 

Suits were sometimes brought by the settlers against the se- 
lectmen to recover their lots, one of which reads in this way : 

" March, 5th. 1667. William Hailstone complained against George Hall, 

William Harvey, and Richard Williams, as celectmen of the towne of 

Taunton, in an action of the case, to the damage of fifty pounds, for non 

pformance of a towne order of the towne of Taunton aforesaid, bearing 

date the 9th. of September, 1667,* respecting land due to him vpon deui- 

*NoTE. It should be remembered that at the time, September, 1C67, was earlier 
than March 16G7, as the year commenced about March 2.^th, instead ot January 1st. 



276 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

sion, as being an ancient purchaser. Tlie jury find for tlie plaintiffe his 
proportion of hand due him as appeers by tlieir towne ordeis. twelue 
pence damage, and tlie cost of the suite. 

A review was granted to defendants of this action. The names of 
the jury that tryed the last aboue named were, sworne: 
William Peabody John Thompson John Tracye 

Thomas Tilden Henery Wood Gilbert Brookes 

Andrew Kindge Samuell Sturtivnnt Samuell l^^yder 

Ensign Jonathan Alden, William Swift William Foard. Jr. 

(Ply. Col. Rec. Voh Vlf. p. 143.) 



APPENDIX M. 
[Page 41.1 



On June 2, 1646, the General Court <i;ave the town permission 
to purchase a calf pasture as follows : — 

"The Court doth graunt to the inhabits of Taunton that they shall 
purchase the pcell or neck of land, or yland, lying at namaskett Pond, 
or Wfh in the sd pond w'' they desire for a calues pasture, and to haue 
tlie use of it vntill there shalbe a plantacon erected there abouts to whom 
it may be helpfull; and that then they, paying the purchase and the 
charg that Taunton inhits shalbe at about the said pcell of land, shall 
haue such pt thereof as shalbe thought nieete by the Court. " (2 Ply. 
Col. Rec. p. 102.) 

This tract was apparently beyond the limits of the original 
purchase of Taunton ; and on April i ith, 1647, it was conveyed 
by the town to Mr. Andrews, in payment for the erection of the 
meeting-house, by a deed in these words, viz: 

BRADFORD GOV'r. 

"This indenture following was recorded by order from the Court: 

This Indenture made the eleventh day of the second month in the 
year of our Lord 1(547 between the inhabitants of Taunton in the colony 
of New Plymouth in New England of the one party, and Henry Andrews 
inhabitant of the said plantation of Taiuiton within the (•olf)ny of New 
Plymouth in New England of the other party witnesseth, that whereas 
there was a certain parcel of land or neck of land ai)i)ertaiiiing unto the 
inhabitants of Taunton aforesaid called by the said inhabitiiiits their 
calves pasture, That this parcel or neck of land, it lying ami being 



APPENDIX. 277 

bouiuled by the Great Kiver from the land of Kichard Williams inhabi- 
tant of Taunton heading it the said neck at the upper corner thereof, 
and the land of George Hall, inhabitant ©f Taunton heading it at the 
lower corner thereof or near unto it, &c. This parcel or neck of land 
with its appurtenances is granted and sold by the inhabitants of Taun- 
ton aforesaid unto him the aforesaid Henry Andrews and his heirs and 
executors or assigns, To have and to hold forever in lieu of a meeting 
house built by him the aforesaid Henry Andrews for the inhabitants of 
Taunton aforesaid for their full satisfaction for the said neck of land, 
and for his peaceable and secure enjoyment thereof by him the said 
Henry Andrews or his assigns, &c, any or every of them, it is further 
promised by the inhabitants aforesaid that all such manner of persons 
as have been heretofore inhabitants resident within this plantation of 
Taunton them or their heirs or assigns that shall challenge or demand 
any i)art or portion in the aforesaid neck of land, shall be either satisfied 
for theii- part of the charge bestowed thereon by the town in fencing, 
thereof to make it a calves pasture or else be satisfied in land in some 
other place. As also it is by these presents witnessed and promised by 
the inhabitants aforesaid, that this said parcel or necke of land shall 
not be rated by the town afoiesaid: and for the better confirmation of 
tills (lecil have the seven men chosen by the inhabitants of Taunton 
;ifi)rcsaid tt> order the atiairs of the town for that present year, have set 
to their hands for the day and year first above written. 

John Strong. 

Oliver Purchis. 

Walter Deane. 

Richard Williams. 

Edward Case. 
(I'ly. Kec. of Deeds Vol. II. p. 57.) 



APPENDIX N. 
[Pa^-e 42.] 

Mr. Haylies, who wrote before the loss of the Town records in 
1S38, thus states the action of the Town as to these iron works. 

" It was at a town meeting conferred and agreed upon between the 
iuliahitants of Taunton and Henry Leonard of Braintree: 

Imprimis. It was agreed and granted by the town to Henry and 
James Leonard, his brother, and Ralph Russell, free consent to come 
hither and join with ceitain of our inhabitants to set up a Bloomery 
work on the Two Mile River. 



278 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

•'It was also agreed and granted by a tree vote of the Town, that 
such particular inhabitants as shall concur together with the said i>er- 
sons in this design, shall have free liberty from the town so to do, to 
build and set up this work, and that they shall have the woods on either 
side of the Two Mile River, wherever it is common on that side of the 
river, to cut for their cord wood to make coals, and also to dig and take 
moine or ore at Two Mile Meadow, or in any of the commons apper- 
taining to the town, where it is not now in propriety. " (Baylies, Part 
II. p. 268.) 

Documentary evidence in the hand-writing of Oliver Purchis, the 
first town clerk, gives these persons as proprietors "in the Bloomerie, " 
viz: 

The names of those who hath put in themselves to be proprietors in 
the Bloomerie, viz: Hezekiah Hoare, Thomas Gilbert, Richard Williams, 
Walter Dean, George Hall, Oliver Purchis, James Walker, John Tisdale, 
Wm. Parker, Mr. Gilbert Senr., Peter Pitts, Richard Stacey, John Cobb. 
Wm. Hodges, Nathaniel Woodward, Timothy llolloway, James Burt. 
Edward Bobitt, Jonah Austin Senr., John Parker, Samuel Wilbore, Miss 
E. Pole, Jane Pole. 

Additional records show the names of Wm. Pole, Timothy Lindall 
of Salem, his son-in-law, Nicholas White Senr., Henry Withington, John 
Turner, Thomas Linkon Senr., Anthony Slocum, James Leonard. 
Thomas Amsbery, Jos. Wilbore, Henry Andrews, John Hall. James 
Phillips, Francis Smith, Geo. Watson, Gov. Leverett and Major Edward 
Tyng of Boston, Nath'l. Paine Senr. and Stephen Paine of Rehoboth, 
John Gary and Nathaniel Paine Jr., of Bristol, Benedict Arnold of New- 
port, Richard Thayer of Braintree — contributing from 20 pounds to [> 
pounds each, for whole, half and quarter shares. 

(See a valuable article by Capt. J. W. D. Hall, read bclore the Olil Colony Histori- 
cal Society, No. 3. p. 134.) 



APPENDIX O. 

(Page 45.) 



The report of the Committee defining the boundaries of Taun- 
ton in 1640, is thus recorded : 

"The limmits and bounds of the plantacon of the towne of Taunton 
als Cohannet, wthin the goument of Plymouth, bounded and ranged for 
length and breadth, by order of Court, by Miles Standish & John Browne, 



APPENDIX. 279 

gentlem, Assistants in the f-oumcnt, the Xixth day of June, ano Dm 
1640, in the xvjth yeaie of our souaine hjid, Charles, &c, as followeth. 
vizs : — 

Impris from two marked trees nere vnto Asonet, a neck of land being 
betweene Asonet and them, lying southerly, and from the said marked 
trees ranging east and by south foure miles; rangeing also from the ex- 
tent of the said foure miles north and by west; also from two markt 
trees ncere the Three Mile Riuer, lying southerly of Taunton, the rang 
to runn foure miles west & by north ; and from the extent of this last 
menconed foure miles, the rang to runn north and by west eight miles; 
moreou, from the extent of this eight miles range, then the range to runn 
on the east and by south line, to meete wth the former expressed north 
and by west lyne vpon a long s(iuare; alwayes puided, that if these 
ranges do not take in a place called Schadingmore Meddowes, the said 
8ohadingmore Meddows to be included as belonging to the aforesaid 
towne of Taunton, wth one thousand acrees of vpland neere and adjacent 
vnto the said meddowes; prouided likewise, that these lines do not 
intitle the said towne of Taunton to intermeddle wthin two miles of 
Teightaquid. 

MILES STANDISH, 

JOHN BROWN." 
(2 Ply. Col. Rec. p. O'J-IOO.) 



. APPENDIX P. 

[Page 45.] 

The first addition seems to have been of meadow lands at 
Assonet, in March, 1640, when the General Court passed this 
order : — 

"WHEREAS the inhabitants of Cohannett, now called Taunton, 
hauc complayned of thire greate want of meddow grounds, the wch. hath 
beenc seriously weighed and considered vpon by speciall order of the 
whole body of the Court, and fynding their wants to be such that vnlesse 
they be supplyed of meddow lands they cannot comfortably there sub- 
.sist, the Court doth therefore now order and graunt the meadow lands 
at Assonett. and betwixt Taunton and Assonett on both sides of the 
riuer, vnto the said inhabitants of Taunton, prouided always that the 
ministers and people now there which are fitt & do pceede & contin- 
ue in a church estate there the space of seauen yeares next ensuing, (ex- 



28o QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

Lcpt some special! hand of God doe hinder tlie same,) that then the 
nieildow lands aforesaid shalbe to them and theire heires, to haue & to 
liold to them & theire heires foreuer. " (1 Ply. Col. Rec. p. 142.) 

In 1643, the inhabitants of I'aunton having applied to tlic 

General Court for permission to purchase more wood and pasture 

land, the Court passed this order: (2 Ply. Col. Rec. p. 58.) 

" The Court is willing to condescend thus far, viz: that those lands 
which belong: to Hesbone may be procured by all due means, and with 
what convenient speed may be: also that the best and speediest means 
be used to procure them further enlargement on that side of the Main 
River to answer to Mr Hooke and Mr. Street's farms on the other side: 
and whereas they desire the Neck of Assonet for pasturing young beasts, 
it is also granted by the court, provided leave can be procured from 
Ousamequin, and all payments to be made by themselves without any 
charge to the country: but whereas the timber is requested below the 
said bounds, that we cannot grant without great detriment to another 
l)lantation intended below that. " 

This land was probably bought of Ossamequin (or Massasoit, ) 
for in 1663 his son Philip made a confirmatory deed of the same, 
as well as of the original first purchase ; a copy of which is as fol- 
lows : 

"March 28, lOtto. These Presents witnesseth. That whereas there 
was a plantation graunted by the Court of Plymouth in the year one 
thousand six hundred and thirty-eight (named Taunton) to sundry per- 
sons whoe there satt downe viz: Capt. William Poole, Mr. John Gilbert, 
Ilenery Drew, John Dean, Walter Deane and sundry others, the bounds 
of which plantation are expressed in the graunt of the Court of Ply- 
mouth according to the several points of the compass, therein expressed, 
which plantation so bounded as above mentioned, together with the 
meadows upon the Great River downward so far as the Store House 
Point so called, with all the meadow of Assonett and Broad Cove, with 
a small tract of land bought of Ishbon lying betwixt the maiked tree at 
the pond and the mouth of the Nistoyoahamock or the Three Mile River, 
which lands and meadows with their appurtenances, immunities and 
l)rivileges whatsoever were bought of Ousameiiuin by the parties above 
mentioned; I Piiilip Sachem do therefore by these presents, ratify and 
confirm for myself my heirs and successors the granted premises made 
by (he Court of Plymouth and also assented unto by Ousameciuin my 
father, to the aforesaid inhabitants of Taunton and their heirs and suc- 
cessors foiever, peaceably to enjoy without molestation or disturbance 



APPENDIX. 281 

fioiii, by or under me. Witness my hand and seal the day and year 
above written. 
Witness 

John Sasamon, Interpreter. 

Philip the ISachem 
" his P mark and [seal] 
The mark X of Pemiehason alias Nimrod. 

This confirmation was signed and sealed before me the day and year 
above expressed. Witness my hand. 

THOMAS WILLETT. 
(Ply. Rec. of Deeds, Vol. III. page 13, part 1.) 

In October of the same year (1663) the southern boundary of 
these purchases was thus defined by the General Court : 

"The inhabitants of the towne of Taunton having seuerall times, for 
diuer.s yeares, complained of the straightness of the bounds of their 
towne and haueing petitioned the Court for some enlargment, the Court 
haueing desired some to take a view of what they haue desired, and 
finding that it is not likely to bee prejudicial! to any, they graunt as fol- 
loweth, vizs: that the path which goeth from Namassakett to Assonet 
Kiuer bee theire bounds on the southeast, and soe by a line from thence 
to Baiting Brooke, and from Baiting Brooke a north line till it meet 
with theire opposite line called the Longe Square, prouided that it come 
not within two miles of Tetacut; alsoe, it is graunted that the inhabi- 
tants of Taunton that haue interest in the iron workes there shall haue 
free libertie to cutt wood on those lands for the vse of theire inm 
workes, but not any foraigner excepting Richard Church, of Hingham." 

(4 Ply. Col. Rec. p. 45. ) 

The original Taunton was apparently separated from Titacut 
by an intervening strip of land, about two miles wide; and this 
territory soon became an object of desire by the settlers; and in 
1660, the General Court made this preliminary order in regard to 
it . viz : 

" A pcell of land, lying betwixt Tetacutt and Taunton, is to bee 
viewed by Constant Southworth and William Peabody, and if it shalnot 
bee found within the bounds of Taunton, nor to neare Tetacutt, that 
then William Brett, John Willis, Thomas Haward, Senior, and Arthur 
Harris haue a competency graunted and confeirmed vnto them, if it bee 
there to bee found; if not. they have libertie to looke out for further 
supply with what conveniency they can. " (Ply. Col. Rec. Vol. III. page 
PJ.S.) " 



282 QUARTER MILLENNIA!, CELEBRATION. 

This soon led to a grant by the Court, in 16(j5 unto William Brett, 
Thomas Haward, Sen., Arthur Harris, Richard Williams, John Willis 
and John Carey, to each of them three-score acres of land hjiiKj bilwixf 
thf hiiid.s of Tduntoii and Titicd; but in case these lands shall any of 
them fall within the last grant of Taunton, these lands being before 
granted to these men, notwithstanding, it shall not make the former 
grant void, but that the said lands shall be and remain, with all and 
singular the appurtenances belonging unto them, to the said William 
Brett, Thomas Haward, Sen., Arthur Harris, Richard Williams, John 
Carey, to them and their heirs and assigns forever." (Ply. Col. Rec. 
Vol. IV. p. 45.) 



APPENDIX Q. 

[Page 45.] 

In the Ply. Col. Rec. Vol. IV. p. i8, (1662) we read as fol- 
lows: 

"Captaine Willett is appointed by the Court to purohase the lands 
of the Indians which is graunted vnto such that were servants, and 

others that are ancient freemen, which the thinkes meet to add 

to them to haue interest in the said graunt, the tenure whereof is extant 
in the of the Court. 

And still later at the same Court, p. 28, another vote was 
passed as follows : 

" Att this Court, Captaine Willett and some other whom hee shall 
thinke meet, are requested by the Court to view the bounds of Taunton, 
wherein they desire to bee enlarged; and if hee sees it convenient, and 
that it bee not prejudiciall to others, to confeirm it to them; and incase 
that Captaine Willett shall neglect soe to doe, the Court haue declared 
that they will take some course to answare theire desires att the next 
March Court. " 

These votes prepared the way for the purchase of much land 
of the Indians, including the North Purchase. 

June :>, l()ti2. In reference vnto a former graunt to sundry ancient 
freemen of the towne of Taunton, to looke out lands for their accomoda- 
tion, and in answare to the request of some others that arc joyned with 
them in desiring accomodations of land, the Court haue granted vnto 



APPENDIX. 283 

them that they shalbee accomodated on the lands on the northeily bounds 
of Taunton, and that the major, Captaine Southwoith, and Captaine 
Bradford are appointed by the Court to purchase the same of the Indians 
in the behalfe of those heerafter named, prouided that which shalbee 
purchased shall not bee prejudiciall to the Indians. 
The names were as follows : 

Captaine Thomas Southworth. Josepth Warren. 

Mr. Willam Parker. Leif t James Wyate. 

Mr. Henery Andrews. John Morton. 

John Parker. Ephraim Morton. 

Gabriell Fallowell. Robert Finney. 

Gyles Rickard, Senior. Ensigne Marke Eames. 

Richard Wright. William Paybody. 

Anthony Snow. George Hall. 

Nathaniell Morton. John Deane. 

Mr. John Gilbert. Walter Deane. 

Captaine Poole. John Dunham, Jr. 

James Walker. John Rogers. 

Richard Williams. George Bonum. 

John Wood. Jonathan Briggs. 

Henery Wood. Dauid Briggs. 

Willam Harlow. John Bundey. 

It is ordered by the Court that the abousaid land shalbee purchased 
by the next June Court, and not to exceed such a proportion as is suit- 
able in quantity to soe much as such a number as those haue that had a 
graunt with the major in those two graunts or tracts before mentioned 
in thisbooke. (Ply. Col. Rec. Vol. IV. page 20.) 1662. 

Subsequently three others were added to the above list, viz.: Mr. 
John Done, John Smalley, & Jonathan Sparrow. Id. p. 27. 

The Rev. Dr. Blake in a very valuable paper read before the 
Old Colony Historical Society, in 1855, thus describes the acqui- 
sition of the North Purchase : 

"In 1661 [or 1662] Capt. Thomas Willett of Rehoboth, either at the 
suggestion of the Court or by his own sagacity, bought this whole irreg- 
ular tract of Wamsutta or Alexander, the son and successor of Massasoit 
as chief of the Pokenokets. This territory so purchased was by the Col- 
ony put into the hands of a Committee — Mr. Thomas Prence, Major Jos- 
ias Winslow, Capt. Thomas Southworth, and Mr. Constant Southworth, - 
"to settle and dispose of said lands for the Colonies use. " A portion 
of this teiritory was granted by the Plymouth Court to the town of Reho- 
both and called the *' Rehoboth North Pui'chase. " This tract included 
Attleboro, Cumberland, R. I., and parts of Norton and Mansfield. But 



284 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

all the region between Attleboro and liiidgewatci- — sunie fifty scinaie 
miles — and the balance of Willett's purchase was still in possession of 
the Colony. It was bounded by the Massachusetts Patent on the north, 
by Bridgewater on the east, by Taunton on the south, and by Hehoboth 
North Purchase on the west. Taunton projected its northern coiner 
half way through this trapezium. The idea that Taunton ought to 
possesss the region into which it had so far projected its northern horn- 
took shape in a company of its chief citizens to buy it of the colony. A 
bargain was .soon made and a deed granted to fifty-two purchasers. It is 
dated Oth June, 16(i8, and this is a copy from the Ply. Col. Deeds, Book. 
3, p. 118. 

PRENCE GOVR. 

■' Whereas the Generall Court of Xew Plymouth have Imi)owered Mr. 
Thomas Prence. Major Josias Winslow, Capt. Thomas Southworth and 
Mr. Constant Southworth to take notice of some purchases of land lately 
made by Capt. Thomas Willett, and to settle and dispose the said lan<Is 
for the Colonies use — Know therefore all whom it may anyway concern. 
That the above named Mr. Thomas Prence, Captaine Thomas South- 
worth, Mr. Constant Southworth and Major Josias Winslow by vertue of 
power by and from the said Court derived unto them, have and by these 
presents doe bargaine, sell, grant, allien, allott, confer, and make over 
unto Richard Williams, Walter Deane, George Macye, James Walker. 
Joseph Wilbore, William Harvey, Thomas Leonard, John Turner, Henry 
Andrews, John Cobb, Gorg Hall, John Hall, Samuel Hall, James Leon- 
ard Sen., Nathaniel Williams, Thomas Williams, Nicholas White Senr. 
Nicholas White jun., Hezekiali Hoare, Allice Deane. Israel Deane, Rob- 
ert Grossman, Shadrach Wilbore. Thomas Caswell, John Macomber, 
John Smith, Edward Rue, John Parker, Samuel Paule, Thomas Lin- 
koln Senr. Thomas Harvey the elder, Nathaniel Thayer, Thomas Linkoln 
Jun. Peter Pitts, John Austine Senr. John Richmond, Samuell Williams, 
Christopher Thrasher, Mistriss Jane Gilbert, George Watson, Samuell 
Smith, James Burt, Richard Burt, John Tisdall Jun., James Philliiis, 
Edward Bobbitt, John Hatheway, Jonathan Briggs, Encrease Robinson. 
John Bryant, Thomas Harvey Jun., Proprietors of the Town of Taun- 
ton, and to their heirs forever, a certain tract of land lying and being on 
the northerly syde of Taunton aforesaid, and is bounded as follows, viz: 
Beginning on the northwest att the bounds of the lands formerly sold by 
us unto the Town of Kehoboth, and to be bounded on the noi therly syde 
by the Massachusetts line until it conies to bear with the western bounds 
of the Town of Bridgewater and soe from the said Massachusetts line by 
a south line home to the bounds of Taunton, and thence by a westerly 
line untill it meets with the bounds of Kehoboth abovesaid, and so to 
follow the said bounds of Kehoboth untill it conies unto the bounds first 



APPENDIX. 285 

mpntioned upon the Massachusetts line; all the lands within this com- 
pass, exceptino- onley a small parcel granted unto John Bundey, and 
;ilsoe a giant made unto Thomas Brings, the son of Clement Briggs, to- 
gether with the meddows, woods, waters, and other benefitts, privileges, 
I'lnoluments, proffits and ennuities thereto appertaining and belonging. 
To have and to hold to them and their heires forever; and doe alsoe 
liereby acknowledge that wee have in hand received the full sume of an 
hundred pounds in full payment and satisfaction from the above said 
Richard Williams, Walter Deane and George Mayce, and the rest of their 
parteuers above named, respecting the premises, and doe fully acquit, 
release, exonerate, free and discharge them and every of them, their 
heires, executors, and assigns, of and concerning the premises; for true 
performance whereof the above named Mr. Thomas Prence, Major Jos- 
ias Winslow, Captaine Thomas Southworth and Mr. Constant .South- 
worth have hereunto set our hands and seals the sixt [or first] day of 
.June Ann. Dom. one thousand six hundred sixty and eight. l<iG8. 

Signed, sealed and )THOMAS PRENCE, and a [seal| 

delivered in the presence ) 

of THOMAS HINCKLEY, )JOSIAS WINSLOW and a [seal| 

) 
■ NATHANIEL BACON. )THOMAS SOUTHWORTH and a [seal] 

) 

ICONSTANT SOUTHWORTH and a [seal] 

Mr. (Teorge .slH>ve his name is hereunto affix in the margeaut as a 
l)r()priator of the abovesaid lands by order of the Court upon testimony 
of the said Mr. Shove his title in the Premises, together with the ac- 
knowledgement of the same by the generality of the propriators con- 
cerned, and notice given to the propriators if they had anything to object 
against the said Mr. Shove, his interest, or the inserting of his name in 
the deed, they should present to the Court, as by several orders sent 
them may appear, and none did appear to present any such objection. 
The sth of March. KiSl: (>S2.) 

(Ply. Deeds, Vol. III. page US.) 

The letter of Mr. Shove which led to the addition of his name 
as a grantee in the above deed was as follows : 

"To the Right Worshipful Governor and Deputy-Crovernor, 
with the Worshipful Assistants, assembled at Plymouth, June 1, 1680. 
RIGHT HONORABLE AND WORSHIPFUL,— It were great ingrat- 
itude to God. who continueth our peace and maketh us so happy in our 
rulers in this wilderness, unnecessarily to augment their burden an<l 
trouble. This consideration, with many more upon the heart of your 



286 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

petitioner, hath made him slow to complain, as willing rather to suffer 
than contend for his right; being assured that God knows how to requite 
good for the wrong we suffer from men. But now (at least to his own 
apprehension) he is concluded under a necessity to make your authority 
his refuge. Be pleased, therefore, to take cognizance of his grievance, 
presented to your view as foUoweth :— 

Some of the proprietors of the township of Taunton, in this Colony, 
purchasing a certain parcel of land, lying between Taunton's north line 
and the south line of Massachusetts Colony for themselves and their 
associates, your petitioner (who is also a proprietor in the said Taun- 
ton) essayed to join with them in their purchase of the said lands; upon 
which at the motion of some of themselves, it was agreed in a conven- 
tion of the said proprietors that his proportion of charge in the said 
purchase should be defrayed amongst them : which he, being informed 
of (though more than he ever sought) accepted as their kindness, and 
upon that account, disbursed not at the times of payment as others did; 
and a considerable time passing between the time of the purchase and 
the making of the deed they now hold the said lands by,— (viz) two years 
or thereabouts, — he never had the least intimation that his interest in 
the said lands was questioned. Nevertheless, when this deed was 
obtained, in which the names of all the proprietors concerned ought to 
to have been expressed, his name, and his only, was omitted; whereby 
that which he interpreted as a kindness he perceived to be managed to 
the contrary, and was in danger to prove a considerable damage. And 
after long patience exercised, and divers overtures made by him (som^ 
whereof being in writing are extant) to the said propiietors, in which 
he claimed his interest in the said lands (which yet lie in community not 
divided) the most of the said proprietors, being sensible how injurious 
it would be to exclude him in such a manner, were so ingenuous as to 
offer him a small script, with their several names subscribed thereto, 
wherein they acknowledge your petitioner's right, and that his name 
ought to have been put into the deed, &c., as may appear upon view of 
the said script. But some persons concerned appear against it and deny 
his interest; making non-payment (though not by his default) their 
advantage to deprive him of his just right. 

In this your petitioner briefly (yet he trusts you will find faithfully) 
has presented his case before you; to whose sentence and judgment he 
freely subjects it, requesting your favorable construction of this his ad- 
dress, who most unwillingly and of constraint occasions you such 
trouble, is bound incessantly to jiray for you. and subscribcth him- 
self, worthy patriots, 

Your servant in everything in Mic Lord. 

(;k(>i;(;e siiovk. 

(Mass. Hist. Sor. Coll. 4th Series. Vol. V. )). :;t;.) 



APPENDIX. 2S7 

The petition of Mr. Shove led to the following action by the 
Court; for at a General Court held at Plymouth, Oct. 28, 1618, it 
was ordered as follows : 

"WHEREAS it did appeer to the Court holden att Plymouth in 
July, 18(51, that Mr. George Shoue, of Taunton, had an interest in a 
tract of land att Taunton, the North Purchase; and al tho, hy what 
ouer sight so euer, his name was left out of the deed of the said land, 
the generality of the said propriators doe owne the said Mr. Shoue to 
haue an interest with themselues, and did petition to the Court that his 
name might he inserted in the said deed, and diuers testimonies did ap- 
peer wherhy it was euident to the Court that Mr. Shoue ought to haue 
his name entered in the said deed, and therefore directed an order to the 
Clarke of the said propriators to call them tegether, and giue them 
notice, that if they had any thinge to ohject against Mr. Shoue why his 
name should not he entered in the said deed, that they appeer att this 
psent Court to render theire reasons if they hade any, otherwise the 
Court would see cause to enter or affix his name to the same deed, which 
the said clarke attests hee hath don; and wheras notwithstanding none 
doe appeer to oppose or object why Mr. Shoue should not haue his name 
entered, and the deed not heing att Court, the Court doth heerby order 
the clarke of the said propriators to giue notice to the said propriators 
that hee is ordered hy the Court to produce the deed of the said tract of 
land the next Court, which wilbe in March, 1682, that then the Secretary 
may enter Mr. Shoues name, or affix it to the said deed, vnlesse any of 
the said propriators then shew reason to the contrary. (Ply. Col. Rec, 
Vol. VI. Page 73.) 1681. 

In March, 1682, therefore the entry of Mr. Shove's interest 
was made on the deed, as appears in the endorsement thereon 
before stated. 

Mr. Blake's article then proceeds to say : 

"As signs of settlement in the purchased territory appeared, the 
Punkoapags of Massachusetts raised a claim of ownership through 
Charles Josias, a son of Wamputuck and grandson of Chickatabut, who 
lived at Neponset, now Stoughton. It shows the honest purpose of the 
proprietors that they voted Feb. 24, 1680, " To levy and to rais sixteen 
pence in money en each share in said purchase to pay Josiah, the Indian 
Sachem for a deed they have procured of him, and it is to be paid in to 
Thonuis Leonard by the 1(5 day of March next." This assessment 
amounted to :j pounds, U»s, (id." 



288 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

Tliis additional deed from .)t>sia]i. in KiSfi seems to liave orioinated 
in this way — Tlieie being dispute between Taunton on the one side, and 
liridgewater and Middleborougli on tlie other as to the true eastern line 
of Taunton, the agents of those towns had agreed upon a line between 
them which the Indians claimed included a strip of land not within the 
original purchase of Taunton, and which was a i)art of the Titicut lands 
still belonging to them, therefore the sum aljove mentioned was raised 
to extinguish the right to this stri}). and they gave a (juitclaim deed of 
which the following is a copy: 

"To all f'hristian People to whom these presents shall come, Josiali, 
otherwise called Charles, an Indian Sachem living at Mattakesett in ye 
CoUony of New Plymouth & son of Josiah, deceased who was an Indian 
Sachem, and Peter & David Hunter (bt)th Indians of Titticut, an Indian 
Plantation in New Plimouth Collony) send greeting, &c. 

Know yee, that whereas it doth appeare to ye said Josiah & Peter tVr 
David, both by Indian & English testimonyes that Mrs. Elizabeth Poole 
formerly of Taunton in ye Government of New Plimouth aforesaid did, 
for and in behalf of the said Town of Taunton purchase ye lauds of Titti- 
cutt in ye year one thousand six hundred thirty & seven, and that ye 
right owners of the said lands did then make sale thereof to ye said Mrs. 
Elizabeth Poole as abovesaid & received pay of her for itt, and those In- 
dians or Indian Sachems that formerly were ye right owners of those 
lands at said Titticutt being those that were ye Predecessors of ye said 
.h.siah. alias Charles A- Peter e\:- David, 

Know yee therefore, that ye said .losiah, alias Charles & ye said 
Peter and ye said David, doe, by these presents so farr owne, acknowl- 
edge, rattifye & contirme ye abovesaid sale of those lands for ye Towne 
of Taunton aforesaid, that^they so by these presents on ye aforesaid con- 
siderations give, grant, make over, sell, contirme and deliver unto 
Thomas Lecmard, .lolin Richmond, William Witherell A- John Hathaway 
(all of Taunton abovesaid A- agents for ye said Towne) for ye only 
use, benetitt, prolitt & behoofe of ye proprietated inhabitants of said 
'I'aunton cV: such proprietors as are not inhabitants and to their heires & 
assignes forever, .so mucli of ye lands of all sortes, formerly called Titticutt 
lands, as are & do lye within the Township of said Taunton hy vertiie of 
A(jreenients made between ye agents of said Taunton <fe the Agents of 
liriiUiewater on ye Northwest erilly side of Titticutt Hirer and between ye 
Aijents of said Taunton & ye Agents of MidiUehury on ye Sontheasterdly 
.-iiile of said River. And by these ])resents ye said Josiah alias Charles it 
Peter tt David being by yc abovesaid tcstinumyes convinced that their 
predecessors did sell yc alx.vc-said lands to ye Proprietors of Taunton iVr 
received a valhuiblc summc as full content and payment for ye said lands 



APPENDIX. 289 

doe by these presents lovenant and jjiomise to iVr with ye said Tht)nias 
Leonard, John Richmond, William Witherell & John Hathaway (the 
agents of ye said Tannton,) that it shall be lawful and free forevere here- 
after for ye said Thomas Leonard, John Richmond, William Witherell, 
and John Hathaway, ,& ye rest of ye Proprietors of said Taunton it their 
heires it assignes to have it to hold ye said Lands so much as falls «t 
lyeth within ye Township of said Taunton as abovesaid by vertue of ye 
abovesaid Agreements as by record doth or may appear with all ye rights, 
priviledges and appurtenances within and upon ye said lands bounded as 
above-said. And ye said Josiah alias Charles it David it Peter doe by 
these presents freely, fully, absolutely it clearly promise, coveneant it 
grant to it with ye said Thomas Leonard, John Richmond, William With- 
erell it John Hatheway that it shall be free and lawfull for them and ye 
rest of the Proprietors of said Taunton it their heires it assignes forever 
hereafter, to have, hold occupy and peaceably to enjoy ye aforesaid lands 
it premises (that are it lye within ye said Township of Taunton as afore- 
said) without any trouble, molestation or suites in Law or any incum- 
brance that may arise by, from or under them, ye said Josiah alias 
Charles it Peter & David or any or either of them or any or either of 
their heirs, executors, administs. or assigns forever, or any other person 
that nnxy lay any lawfull claims thereunto or of any part or parcel there- 
of forever. 

And moreover the said Josiah alias Charles and Peter it David doe 
hereby give ye said Thomas Leonard & John Richmond & William With- 
erell it John Hathaway free liberty & power in any of his Majestyes 
Courts of Record. 

And to these premises the said Josiah alias Charles & Peter & David 
have sett their hands & seals the twentyeth day of July in ye yeare of 
our Lord God, one thousand six hundred eighty & six, 1686. The words 
in ye yeare one thousand six hundred & thirty seven between ye fifth & 
sixth lines, were before the signing, sealing and delivering of these 
presents. 





The marke of A Josiah [8igillnmJ 




The marke of P Peter [SigilluniJ 




The marke of D David [Sigillum] 




Hunter. 


Signed. 


, Sealed & delivered in ye presence of 




Joseph Crosman, 




Benjamin Leonard, 




The marke of | John Cobb jun.. 




Foelix Indian f c© hi** marke. 




Jabez H Hackitt. 




his marke. 



290 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

Menioraiuluni. tlu' witniii written .losiali ».V- David & I'eter, did at yi- 
st'aliuj;' of those jjresents reserve and except that hind caHed Charles his 
teild on ye westward side of Tittientt IMver. tliat is that wliieli ('liarles.1' 
Ohediali liave now witliin fence, they allso cxc])t. and reserved any land 
in ye within Tannton Bounds on ye Kastward of 'i'rout hrooke where it 
comes into ye f>reat Hiver. 

Witness Joseph Ci-osnian. IJenjaniin Leonard. .John (dhli. junior, j 
his marke. Jabez Hackitt. H 'li'^ niarke tui ye twentyeth day of July Klstl 
ye within written witnesses, viz: Josej)!! Crosnian. IJenjaniin Leonard. 
John Col.li. Junr.. and Jahez Ilaekitt. tooke oath that they saw ye within 
written Josiaii & Peter »fe David simile, scale it deliver this within instru- 
ment as tiicir Act & deed before me. 

THOMAS LEONARD, Ass<.ciate. 
Itecorded primo December. IC.sc, pr. STH:Pri?:\ P.THTOX. Recorder. 

'I'his Josiah, the first signer of the above deed, was a great 
grandson of Chickatabut, and probably owned no more lands in 
this vicinity, and no more right in the original Taunton purchase 
than his ancestor had. But there is good reason to believe that 
the domain of Chickatabut did not include any of the Taunton 
lands, and extended only from ' Nishamagoguanett, near Duxbur\- 
mill, to Teghacut, f/car Taunton." See the affirmation of five In- 
dians, made the "ist of 4th month, 1650," and recorded in 2 Ply. 
Col. Rec. p. 157, from which the above language is quoted. 

The regard of our ancestors for the Indian title to lands which 
they desired to obtain from the General Court, however vague and 
indefinite that title may have been, is well illustrated by a letter 
of (rov. Winslow, dated May i, 1676, in which he writes : 

•^ I think 1 can clearly say that before tliese j.resent troubles broke 
out. tlie En<i;lisli did not jxtssess one foot of .ground in tliis ( (dony b'.it 
what was fairly obtained by iionest pnichases of the Indian proprietors. 
We first made a law that none slnuild buy or receive by yift any land of 
the Indians without knowled-e of the Court. ■" (See 'I'iiaclu'r"s Tlislcuy 
of Plymouth 1-. i:!S: ;dso Ply. Col. I!cc. Vol. XL p. 41. li'U. IS:;. IS."..) 

In 1689, Major William Bradford set up a claim or interest in 
all the territory about here, and on July 9th, 1689 made a deed to 
the purchasers of the North Purchase; the original of which now 
hangs on the walls of the Old Colony Historical Society, in Taun- 
ton, a copy of which with the original spelling is as follows: 



APPENDIX. 291 

T.) all unto whoiu tht'si' presints shall oome. Greeting; whereas the 
Honourable the Conneil Established at Plymouth in the County of Devon 
for the Planting-, Puleing. Ordering and Gouerning of New England, in 
America, By vertue and Authority of letters Patei\ts, under the Great 
Seale of England, from our Late Soveraigne Lord King James the first. 
l)earing Date at Westminster in the eighteenth year of his said ^Majesties 
Keigne of England & L for and in consideration that william Bradford 
Es(i. and his Asotiats had at their owne proper cost and charges Planted 
and luliabited a towuc called by the name of New Plimouth in New Eng- 
land aforesaid. And for their better encouragmet, to proceed in soe pious 
a work (illegible) tending to the propogation of Religion and 

tlie great incouragment of Trade to his Majesties Bealmes and advanc- 
nicnt to the Publick, Plantation, the said Council by their Patent or grant, 
under their common Seale Signed, by the Bight Hcmourable Robert Earle 
of Warwick, President of said Council, bearing Date, the thirteenth day 
of January in the fifth year of the Reigne of our Late Souvereigne Lord 
King Charles the first, Annoq Dom 1()29 did give grant infeoffe assigne 
and confirme unto the said william Bradford his heirs Asotiates and as- 
signcs for ever, all that part of New England in America aforesaid, and 
'i'ract. or tracts of Land that lye within or betwene a certaine rivolet or 
Hundlett there comonly caled Chasset alias Conihasset towards the North, 
and the River commonly called Narraganset River towards the South, 
and the great westerne Ocean towards the East, and between and within 
a straight line Directly extending up into the maine Land towards the 
west from the mouth of the said River, called Narraganset River, to the 
utmost limits or Bounds of a country or place in New England commonly 
called Pokanocket alias Sowamset westward, and another like straight 
line extending itself e, directly from the mouth of the said River, Cohasset 
alias Conihasset towards the west. So far up into the maine Land west- 
ward as the utmost limits of the said place or Country comonly called 
Pokanocut alias Sawomset Do extend «feac And all lands, Rivers, waters 
Havens &v Sittuate lying and being, or arising within or betwene the 
said limits and Ixmnds or any of them. And thereof was put into peace- 
able and (luiet Possession as in and (by) the said grant and Indorsment 
thereon iieferente thereto being had will more fully and at large appeare: 
and wliereas the said william Bradford with the advice of his asotiats, in 
the yeare of our Lord God one thousand six hundred and fourety did 
grant unto. Miss Elizabeth Poole and m>' Nicholas Street and to such 
others as they should Assotiat to themselves, a tract of T^and for a Plan- 
tation or Township, formerly called by natives Cohannet upwards of 
fouerty yeares .seme settled and Planted. Now called and knowne by the 
name of Taunton, I^^ying in the Comity of Bristol in New England afore- 
said [And whereas alsoe the proprietors of said Town of Taunton have 
seme obtained divers inlaroinents and additions from the (iinirall Court 



292 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

at I'limouth [ :the members whereof wliere the Assotiats of my said Ih>n- 
oured fatlier] and from their iieiohl)ouriiig Townes, by agreements with 
them, with the ahiwance of said Assotiats, as appears by records, Al 
which being i)ercalls of the lands contained within the Limits and liound- 
erys exspresed in the afore resighted Patent or grant from tlie Councell 
Established ut Plimonth in the County of Devon, [for the I'lantin Kuel- 
ing ordering and Gouering of New England in America] and to the said 
William Bradford his heirs asotiats and asignes] together with power 
duly to dispose of said lands for the ends aforesaid to such as should be 
admitted inhabitants and proprietors with them in said Towne of Taun- 
ton, and sucli other priviledges and imunities as are usialy granted to 
the inhal)itants and proprietors of other Townes, within this liis Majes- 
ties most anciant C'oUony of New Plimonth in New England aforesaid, 
for the more perpctluer making and better conlirmation whereof, Now 
know yee that I william Bradfoi'd of New Plimonth in the County of Pli- 
month in the Colony of New Plimonth in New England aforesaid. Son 
and heire of the above named william Bradford Esqr: Deceased, as well 
in performance of the true intente and meaning of the said william Brad- 
ford my father in and by the said grant, and for the ends above men- 
tioned, and for Divers other good causes and considerations, we at tfiix 
time especially moveing, have granted, remised, realeased. and for ever 
quitt claimed, and by these presints for me and my heirs, doe grant, re- 
mise, release and for ever quitt claim unto: m>' John Poole, m'' Samuell 
Danforth, Richard Williams, waiter Deane, Garge Macey, Hezekiah 
Hoar, william Harvey, Henry Andrews, John Deane, Giles Gilbert, 
James Walker Senior, Shadrach wilbore, Phillip King & Joseph wilbore, 
John Cob, John Hall Petter Pitts, Samuell Williams, Nathaniell will- 
lams, Joseph Williams, Samuell Hall the son of Samuell Hall Deceased, 
Joseph Hall, Edward Rews Exexitrixe, Lsack Negus, Increase Robinson, 
Thomas Farwell, Thomas Caswell Senior, James Leonard Junior, John 
Smith Senior, James Philips, John Richmond, william Paull, Jonah 
Austin, william withrell Senior, william withrell Jun: John witluell, 
Robert Crosman Jun: John Briant, Richard Stephens, Mary Street, 
Joseph Willis, Eliazer Gilbert, Thomas Gilbert, Malachi Holloway, John 
Smith Jun: Samuell Smith, James Burt, the Asignes of Richard Burt 
Deceased, James Tisdill, John Tisdill, Joseph Tisdill, James Walker 
Jun; Petter walker, Thomas Harvey Jun: John Crosman, Samuell 
Tlu-asher, John Hathway, Isack Deane, Joseph Leonard, John wood- 
ward, John Macomber Jun: Joseph Staple, Samuell Deane, Samuell 
Stasie, John Hodges, the sons of Aron Knap. Deceased, Heniry Hodges. 
Richard Godfree Sen: Thomas Lincon Sen: John Lincon, Samuell Lin- 
con, George Watsons Asignes, Robert Crosman Sen: Robert Thornton, 
James Leonard Sen: John Turner, Thomas Leonard, Edward Bobit, 
Elckanah Bobit, Samuell Holloway, Jouatlian Brigs, Nicholas White 



APPENDIX. 293 

Sen: m'" George Shoves Asisnes, George Gooding & John Edy |who are 
such proprietors who in said Taunton are called and owned purchasers 
of the old Township, some haveing two or three purchase rights, some 
one purchase right, and some but halfe a purchase right, and some less: 
[and unto] Richard williams, waiter Deane, George Macey, James Walk- 
er, Joseph wilbore, williani Harvey, Thomas Leonard, John Turner, 
Heniry Andrews, John Cob, George Hall, John Hall, Samuell Hall, 
James Leonard Sen: Nathaniell williams, Thomas williams, Nicholas 
whit Sen, Nicholas whit Jun: Hezakiah Hoar, AUice Deane, Israel 
Deane, Robert Crosman, Shadrach wilbore, Thomas Caswell, John Ma- 
comber, John Smith, Edward Rew, John Parker, Samuell Paul, Thomas 
Lincon Sen: Thomas Harvey the elder, Nathaniell Thayer, Thomas Lin- 
con Jun: Petter Pitts, Jonah Austin Sen: John Richmond, Samuell wil- 
liams, Christopher Thrasher, m's Jane Gilbert, George watson, Samuell 
Smith. James Burt, Richard Burt, John TisdilSen; John TisdilJun: 
James PhiUps, Edward Bobit', John Hathway, Jonathan Brigs, Increase 
Robinson, John Briant, Thomas Harvey Jun & nv George Shove |Some 
of the above said properietors in the said Towne of Tanton and all pro- 
perietors in the tract of land, called the North purchase, which shall 
liereafter be exspresed in this Instrument, and as appears by Deed from 
the Colonys Agents, the Associats of my said Hounoured Father, Dated 
June the six one thousand six hundred sixty eight, upon record, and 
unto] James walker, John Richmond, william Brentou Esq^:, List: 
(reorge Macey, Richard williams, waiter Deane, william Harvey, m'' 
(icorge Shove, Heniry Andrews, (Jilos Gilbert, Hezekiah Hoar, John 
Hall. John Macomber Sen: James Pliilips, John Hathway, John Deane. 
Joseph willntre, Aron Knap, Petter Pitts, Thomas Gilbert, Richard Burt, 
John Tisdil Sen: Cristipher Thrasher, John Poole, Edward Bobit, Ed- 
ward Rew, Thomas Caswell, william withrell, Heniry Andrews Jun: 
Samuell Pitts, Samuell williams, Nicholas whit Sen: Samuell Hall, James 
Leonard Senior Thomas Leonard, Nathaniel williams, Robert Thornton, 
Thomas Deane, Joseph williams, John Tisdill Jun: James Tisdill, Israel 
Deane, Jonathan Brigs, Thomas Lincon Sen: Thomas Lincon Jun: John 
Turner, Frances Smith, James Burt, Jonah Austin Sen; George watson, 
Richard Stasie, John Hodges, Sh.adrach wilbore, John Smith Sen: 
Thomas Harvey Sen: Samuell Smith, Robert Crosman Sen: william Paul, 
Samuell Holloway, Malachi Holloway, Ester Golup, Joseph Hall, Mary 
StiPct, Nathaniel Thayer, Increase Robinson, Thomas Harvey Jun: 
Isack Deane, Ezra Deane, James walker Jun: Petter walker, Israeli 
Thrasher, Samuell Macey, Nicholas whit Jun; Jarit Talbut, James Leon- 
ard Jun, John Lincon, Richard Stei>hens, Thomas williams, william 
withrell, Jun: Richard Brigs, John Smith Jun, Thomas Amsbery, John 
Macomber Jun & Joseph willis [who are properietors of the Tract of 
land, called the South Purchas, mentioned alsoe in this Instrument, as 



294 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEliRATION. 

appears by Deeds and Court records [and unto] tlie Asiynes of ni' George 
.Shove, James walker Sen: James Tisdill, waiter Deane, william Harvey. 
Ivieliard williams, and william Paul [who are the properietors of Asonel 
neek, mentioned alsoe in this Instrument as appers by their Deeds Ke- 
speetinly which they received of mr Constant Southworth. the Collonies 
Tresuver which deeds are recorded in the Court records] And to their 
heirs and asignes forever in the behalfe, and to the use of themselves 
and others the allowed inhabitants and properietors of said Towne of 
Taunton, in their and every of their, full and peaceable possession, and 
Seisen, now being acording to their and every of their comon and gcni- 
rall and Respective Interest and to their and every of their heirs and 
asignes for ever, in all such estate right title interest possession and de- 
mand what soever, which I the said william Bradford, had now have or 
ought to have of in or to all, or singular the messuages lands Teniments 
growndes: soiles, matters, rivers. Havens, creeks, ports, fishings, herid- 
itaments, Royaltyes, minerals, projects priviledges and Comodities what- 
soever. Scituate Lying and being, arising, hapning or acrueing, or which 
shall arise, happen, or acrne, in or within the limits and boundes of .said 
Township of Taunton, .'lud alsoe within that Tract of land, comonly 
called and knowne in said Taunton by the name of the north I'urchas. 
both said, Towneship, and said north Purchas as they, have both been, 
anciantly stated and set forth, and are discribed. and bounded as follow- 
eth (the Township Takin in all Asonet neck which belongs to some 
particular men as it above exspresed, Takin in alsoe all the meadow lands, 
there upon and about it, and on the other side of Asonit baye, and from 
tlie northerly end of said neck, to run foucr miles East and by .South by 
Free Towne Lyine, to a forked tree standing close by Asonit Kivei', with 
stones laying about it, and from said tree, to run north and by East to a 
black oake marked with the letter M: on the Southerly side and tlie 
letter T on the norther side, by the path side, leadin from Asonit to 
Middleberey, and from said oake, to run by the path to Baiting Brook 
soe called, to a great marked white oake, by the brooke and from .said 
white oake to run Northerly on a line, Betwenc Taunton and Miiklle- 
bery, and soe running along by some Indians lands at Titicut, and soe to 
Taunton Great River at Titicut and over said River upon a line agreed 
on, betwenc Taunton and Bredgwater Agents, To a heap of stones on 
Rockie plaine [soe called | on the north westward side of tlic Rhode tliat 
leads from Taunton to Bredgwater, and from said heap of stones, upon a 
line, to the Southerly end of Nuncketetest i)ond to a great white oake 
tree, and from thence North weest to a great stake with aiieapof stones 
about it, and from said stake on a north line, until it meete witii an 
East and by South Line, which runs Betwenc said Towneship of Taun- 
ton, and the above said North Purchas, [and from the Soutliermost point 
of .Vsonit neck. Lo run over Taunton Great River west aiul by North, to 



APPENDIX. 295 

the iiimith (jl ii Cove- called Broad (Jove, and soe Running alon<4 l»y tlie 
Lower side of said Cove, as to take in all the nieaddowes, unto a heape 
of stones near the head of said Cove, and from thence to run weest and 
by North fouer miles, and from the end of said fouer miles to run thence 
north and by East, untill it extends as fare as to the end, of the fouer 
miles, that did run from the Two marked trees, near the three mile 
i;iver, which was the first line of the Township first grant [so taking in 
the tract of Land called, the South Purchas which three mile River, ai>d 
then the three mile River, is the boundes, betwene the old Township, 
and the South Purchace, until it come to the Great River, which is the 
bounds alsoe, of said South Purchase downe to Broad Cove as above 
said, as appeares by Deeds, and Court Records as above said | and from 
the Exstent of the last mentioned fouer miles, the old towne line, to Run 
eight miles: North and by weest, and from the end of the said eight 
miles to run upon an East and by South line, untill it meet with the 
afore said bounds, between Taunton and Bredgwater, and the aforesaid 
north Purchase, And the bounds of the said North Purchase are as Fol- 
loweth. Begining on the North and by weest, at the bounds of the Lands 
belonging to the Towne of Relioboth, and to be bounded on the North- 
erly side by the Masachaset Line untill it come to beare Avith the 
westerne bounds of the Towne of Bredgwater, and soe from the Masa- 
chuset line, to the boundes of Taunton Towne Ship, and thence by a 
weesterly line, untill it meet with the the bounds of Hehohoth above 
said, and sc>e to follow the said boiuuls of Relioboth, luitill it cometh to 
the bounds, first mentioned upon the Masachuset line, the proprietie of 
of whicli said North Purchase belongeth only to some of the men, whose 
names are above named, as appeares by Deed as above said, Soe that is 
to say, that I the said vvilliam Bradford nor my heirs from lience f<uth 
shall or may have or Claime any right title estate interest or demand of 
in or to the said Premises, or any part of them, but thereof shall for 
ever here after be bai red and exscinded by these presents, know yce 
further alsoe, that I the said william Bradford for the ends and Consid- 
erations aforesaid have approved, .and by these presents, doe for me and 
my heirs, soe much as in me lieth Ratifie and confirme, unto the said, 
mr Joiui Poole, mr Samuell Danforth. Richard williams. James walker 
Senoi-, William Paull. and John Tisdill. and to all the rest above named, 
and to other the allowed Inhabitants of said Towne of Taunton, and to 
the proprietors of the North Purchase aforesaid to their, and every of 
their full and peaceable possession and Seisen, and according to their 
and every of their respective Intrest in each tract of land, and to their 
and every of their heirs and Asignes for ever, all and Singular, the afore 
.said lands, and other the premises, and their and every of their, appei- 
tinances within the said boundes and limits, according to their, aiul 
every and each of their, comon or perticular, severall and llespective in- 



k 



296 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

trest in the said Premises, or any part (»r percall thereof, To Have and 
TO Hold to the said mr John Poole, nir Saniuell Danfortli. Richard Wil- 
liams. James walker Sen: william Paull and James Tisdil, and to all the 
rest above named, according to their, and every of their respective in- 
trest in each Tract of land as above specified, and their and each, and 
every of their heirs and asignes forever, in the behalfe, and to the nse of 
themselves and others the allowed Inhabitants, and proprietors of said 
Towneship of Taunton, and the proprietors, of said North Purchase, 
and to their, and to each and every and each of their, heirs and asignes 
for ever, in manner and forme following, that is to say: to hold in comon 
all such lands, within the bounds and limits aforesaid respectively, to 
the proprietors of each tract of Land Respectively, as yet doth lye in 
Comon, and undivided or wast lands, or for herbage, feed for catill fire 
wood and Timber or such like comon use, together with such Comon 
priviledges and Comodities belonging thereunto, and every part thereof 
shall and may from time to time, and at all times be ordered given grant- 
ed disposed and assigned as the Major Part of the proprietors of each 
tract of land in comunitie Respectively shall soe meet and conveniant, 
as formerly have bene accustomed, and to hold in Severally, and not 
jointly, to each one and every of them, all and every such messuages. 
Teniments and lands, as each or any of them are severaly and perticu- 
larly possessed of by vertue of any grant from the said william Bradford 
my Father or his Associats, or from the Comitee Impowcred to dispose 
of said lands, or from the proprietors of said Towne, or obtained by gift 
or purchase from any to whom any such grant, hath beenc heretofore 
made, and to each and every their heirs and asignes for ever, and to the 
only proper use and behoofc of them, and each and every of their heirs 
and asignes. Respectively forever. To be holden by his Majesties as of 
his mannor of East Greenwich in the County of Lent in the Realmc of 
England in the free and comon Socakage and not in Capite nor Knight, 
.servaire, yeilding and paying to our Sovereignc Lord the King his heirs 
and asignes for ever, on fifth part of the Oare of the mines of Gold and 
silver, and one other fifth part thereof to the said President ami Council, 
which shall be had, possessed and obtained, within the Limits aforesaid, 
for all services and demands whatsoever, as is exspressed, in said Leters 
Patents, or grants of the said Council Hn & I the said william Bradford, 
and my heires all and Singular the said Premises witli the appcrtinanccs, 
unto the afore said, mr John Poole mr Samuell Danforth Richard Wil- 
liams, James walker Sen: william Paull and James Tisdil, and to all the 
rest above named, as is above mentioned, their and every of their heires 
and asignes Respectively, against me the said william Bradford and my 
heirs, will forever hereafter, warrand and defeiul, by tliese Presents. 

In witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and Seal this ninth 
day of June Anno Domini one tliousand six hundred Eighty and nine 



APPENDIX. 



297 



and in the tiist year of Reign of King William and Queen Mary over 
England &c. 

Memorandum the word (by) over the tenth line and the word (this) 
over the twentyeth line and Philip King in the margent against the 
twenty second line and the word (Town) over the sixty third line were 
Interlined before the sealing and delivering hereof 

William Bradford. |seal| 
Signed Sealed and Delivered 
In the presence of 
John Pollard 
Richard Haskins 
Phillip Mason. 

The within and above mentioned 
William Bradford appears this 
Kith of August 1680 and 
acknowledges this Instrument 
to be his act & deed, 
before me 

Thos Hinckley Gov. 



APPENDIX R. 



[I'afie 4f>.l 

The history of the South Purchase was in this wise : By an 
old Colonial law no person was allowed to buy land of the Indians 
except by leave of the General Court, and on July 2d, 1667, the 
Court gave permission to Richard Williams and others to buy land 
on the west side of the River in these words: 

•'Tlic Court haue granted vnto some ancient freemen liueing in 
Taunton, viz: Richard Williams, Walter Dean, George Hall, AUis 
Dean, tlie wife of John Dean deceased, Mr. John Poole, Peter Pitts, 
James Walker and Henery Andrewes, that they shallhaue some sup- 
plyes of land upon the west side of Taunton Riuer, if not already granted 
to any other; or some other ]ilace if it may be obtained." 

(4 Ply. Col. Rec. p. KiO.) 

Within two years the town took action in the matter and 
passed the following vote : 



298 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELERRATION. 

•'Tliis (itli (.r May. KMi'.i. 'I'lic town liatli voted and .lioscii Lieut. 
(Jcorge Masy, Henry Andrews and .lo.se]))! Wilbore to -o dowii to IMnli]. 
Saeheni and confir with liini about huyinj; of ye land from tlie Tliree 
Mile lUver down a.s far as Storeliouse I'oint. as far as tlie meadows, and 
to l)uy it of yt' Saeliem as far as they ean into ye woods from ye (i real 
lUver, and wliat harfjain the above .said men shall make with him tlie 
town doth engage to i)erform, and the above said men are to go down 
al»oiit the aforesaid design the next week." 

In the winter of 167 i the town pa.ssed this vote: 

••This ISth day of I)ecend>er. KiTl. it is voted and agreed upon by 
yc town that the seleetmen now in being are empowered to use tlie best 
of their discretion for ye piocuring of ye land down ye river from ye 
Three Mile lUver to Stcn^e House I'oint. that it may be coutirmed to our 
townshi]) by the Court."" 

(The seleetmen tlu'n "in Ix'ing' weic (Ji'orge .Macy. ifiehard Wil- 
liams. Walter Dean, .lames Walker and William Harvey.) 

In the following March, the (ieneral Court declaretl 

"Tliat .lames Walker and .lohn Miciimoiid are authorized by tJu' 
• ourt to i)ureliase the land of the Indians in the behalfe of the towne of 
'i'aunton. lying on the west syde of Taunton lliuer. from the Three .Mile 
iliuer dowue to a plaee called the .Store House. "" (•') I'ly. Col. l!ec. ].. SS. ) 

Thi.s wa.s followed by another vole of the lown a.s follows : 

■• '{"his I'd day of September IC.Ti'. The i.urcliascrs or free iidiabitants 
of Taunton being in a probable way t<i piucbase a certain tract of laud 
lyeiug down ye (ireat Itiv<'i-. of I']iilii> Sacliem. tlicrefoic for the liettcr 
managing of ye purchasi- of ye said laud, and for tlu' i)rocuring of lirm 
deeds from ve said Sachem and tor ye looking to ye payments of ye pni- 
chase of the said land the ai)ove saiil purchasers hath chosen this Com- 
mittee: William t}rent(Ui. Esq.. Walter Dean. William Harvey. Lieut. 
(;corge .Macy. .Luncs Walker, .lobu jiiclimoud. liichard Williams." 

This ("ommittee iininediately attended to their duty and soon 
obtained a deed from Philip; in consideration of 143 pouncLs, of a 
tract three miles long on the Great River, and e.xtending westerl\ 
four miles, beginning at the month of Three .Mile River, a copy ol 
which is as follows : 

••To all Christian people to whom these presents sliall conu'. I I'liilip 
alias .Metacum. Chief Sachem (.f I'cd^anoket. in the Colony of New I'ly- 
moutli. in New England, send Creeling: Know yc. that I. the said 
I'hilip. alias Metacum. for and in .onsideration of one humlred and forty- 



APPENDIX. 299 

lliicc piumds ill luuifiit jiiiy to my coiik-iit to iik' in liaiid i>ai(i hcfoiv tin- 
soaliiiy- and delivory lieicof, l)y William IJrentoii. Esquire, JaiiR-s Walker? 
William Harvey. Walter Dean, IJieliard Williams, and John Kielimond, 
all of tlie Town of Taunton, in the Colony above said, wherewith 1, tlie 
said IMiilii), alias :Metacuin, do acknowledge myself fully satisfied, con- 
tented and paid and thereof and of every part and parcel thereof do 
hereby exonerate, acijuit, discharge and release the said William Bren- 
ton, Esq., James Walker, William Harvey, Walter Dean, Richard Wil- 
liams, and John Richmond, their heirs, executors, administiators, and 
assigns, forever, have given, granted, bargained, st>ld, enfeotfe<l, aliened, 
and confirmed, and do liy these presents fully, freely and absolutely give, 
grant, liargain, sell, enfeoffe, alien, make over and confirm unto the 
said William Brenton, James Walker. William Harvey, Walter Dean, 
iJichard Williams, and .John hMcliiiiond. to tlieiii and tlieir associates and 
to their and every of tlicir lieiis. executors, administrators and assigns 
forever, a certain tract of lan<l situate, lying and being soutlierly from 
flic town of Taunton aforesaid, containing three Englisli miles one way. 
and four English miles the otlier way, beginning at the three mile river 
(so called) alias Nonestecomeek, and is fi'om said river to range tliree 
miles south and by west, and from the extent of the said three 
miles to range four miles west and by north from the Great River {so 
called) into the woods, and from the extent of that four miles to range 
ncu'th and by east until it meet with the aiicit'iit Ijounds of Taunton afore- 
said, and bounded eastwardly by tlic aforesaid (iieat I!ivcr. (so calk-d) 
with all timber and wood, meadows, creeks, coves, springs, poinls, mines, 
minerals, and all and singulai' tlie jirivileges. easements, commodities, 
appurtenances, and immunities of what kind soever thereunto belonging 
or in any way appertaining, and in particular tlie privilege of said great 
river for the navigation of any sort of vessels, bigger or lesser, and all 
otlier the privileges thereof: 

To Have and to Hold the said tract of land and all and every the privi- 
leges and appurtenances as is Iteforc I'Xincssed. and all the right, title 
and interest wliicli lie tlie said Pliilii). alias Metacmn. now hath oi' <-an 
or may hereafter liave. either by himself or his heirs, executors, adminis- 
trators, assigns, or successois. unto them, the said William Brenton. 
James Walker. Williiiii II 
John Kiclimoiid. and their 
executors, ad iiiinistratois ; 
Iioof of them forever, to 
(irceuwich in his Majestic' 
capita nor liy knighfs serv 
heirs, executors, adniiiiisti 
disclaiiiiaiid renounce all 
luito the said tract or any p 



ar\( 


y. Walte 


■ Dean. I 


fi.hunl 


Williams, and 


associates, an 


1 to thei 


and any of their lii'irs. 


iiid 


issigns. a 


id unto 


the ]U( 


jier use and be- 


be 


holden ; 


(■cording 


to the 


teiior of East 


s C( 


unity of 


Kent, ii 


free so 


cage and not in 


ice: 


and the 


■;aid Phil 


ip doth 


for himself, his 


■atoi 


s. success 


(MS. and 


assigns. 


hereby utterly 


lor 


iier light 


, title, ii 


iterest ( 


r demand in or 


.art 


or parcel 


thereof. 


or to ; 


nythiiig tlicic- 



300 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

unto bt'loii^iiij;. and dotli hy these presents ;u'kn()\vle(lj;e tlie above 1)ar- 
oained premises to l)e the true and jiroper estate of tlie said William 
Brenton, .James Walker, William Harvey, Walter Dean. Kichard Wil- 
liams and .lohn IJiehmond, and their assoeiates, and their heirs, execu- 
tors, administrators and assij^ns, that he, the said Philip, alias Metacum. 
doth further f(U' himself, liis heirs, executors, administrators, successors, 
and assigns, promise and enjia5;e with and unto the said William Bren- 
ton, James Walker, William Harvey, Walter Dean, Richaad Williams, jind 
John Ilichmond, and their associates, and to their and every of their 
heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, that he, the said Philip, 
alias Metacum, is the true, sole and proper owner of the said tr.act of 
land and of every part thereof, and of all and every of the easements, 
privileges, and commodities thereunto belonging, immediately before the 
sealing and delivery hereof, and hath in himself good light and lawfid 
authority to alienate and sell the same, and that the said land, with the 
privileges and appurtenenances aforesaid, is free and clear, and freely 
and clearly ac<iuittcd and discharged from all former gifts, grants, bar- 
gains, sales, forfeitures, attachments, judgments, executions, mortgages 
and incumlu'ances whatsoever from the beginning of the wt)rld to this 
day, and the said bargained premises to warrant and defend from or 
against any person or persons claiming, or that sliall or may hereafter 
claim any right, title or interest, in or unto the same or any part or par- 
cel thereof, from, by or under him. the said Philij). alias Metacum. or 
his heirs, executors, administrators, successors or assigns, whereby 
the said William Brenton. James Walker. William Harvey^ Walter Dean. 
Itichard Williams and Jolui Richmond and their associates or cither of 
them, or either of their heirs, executors, a(lministrat<n-s or assigns, shall 
or may be ejected or evicted out of the same or any part thereof, or mo- 
lested in the quiet and peaceable possession and enjoyment thereof; and 
further, the said Philip, alias Metacum, doth for himself, his heirs, 
executors, administrators, successors and assigns, covenant and promise 
to and with the said William Brenton Esquire, James Walker, William 
Harvey, Walter Dean, Richard Williams and John Ilichmond and their 
associates, and their and every of their heirs, executors, administrators 
and assigns, that he the said Philip, alias Metacum, upon reasonable and 
lawful demand, shall and will do and perform, or cause to be done and 
performed, any and all such further act or acts, whctiier by acknowledg- 
ing this deed of sale, or any other kind whatsoever, that shall or may be 
for the more fully completing and confirming the aforc-bargained jirem- 
iscs unto the said William Brenton, Janus Walker, William Harvey, 
Walter Dean, Richard Williams and John Bichmond and their associ- 
ates, and to their and every of their heirs, executors, administrators and 
assigns according to the true intent hereof and the colony aforesaid. 

In witness whereof, I, the said Philip, alias Metacum to these 
presents have put my hand and seal the twenty-eighth day of Septem- 



APPENDIX. 301 

ber, anno Domini one thousand, six hundred and seventy-two, and in the 
twenty-fourth year of the reign of our Sovereign, Charles the Second, 
King of Great Britain, France and Ireland. 

The mark of the above said Philip, alias Metacum, 

PHILIP p alias METACUM. [seal| 

Signed sealed and delivered in presence of The mark of 

JOSEPH WILBORE, CAPTAIN W ANNA WAN. 

JOHN WINCHCOME. The mark of 

THOMAS PAYCANUT. UKAMPHOONETT, J 

The mark of The mark of 

THOMAS T INDIAN WINNASHUM p NIMROD. 

aliasSAUKSUET. CHEENAUGSON, A 

This deed was acknowledged by Philip, alias Metacum, this 1 day 
of October, 1072, before me, 

CONSTANT SOUTHWORTH, Assist. 

This deed is recorded according to the order of Nathaniel Morton, 
Secretary to the Court for the jurisdiction of New Plymouth. See great 
book of records, enrolled Folio 227. 

[And see Ply. Col. Rec. of Deeds. Vol. III. p 246: Prop. Rec. of 
South Purchase, in Dighton Town Clerk's office, p. 3.] 

This deed though dated September 28, was not acknowledged 
and delivered until Oct. i, and on the same day Philip in consid- 
eration of 47 pounds, conveyed to Constant Southworth, another 
strip on the southerly side of the first tract, one mile wide on the 
Great River and extending four miles westerly from the river ; a 
copy of which is as follows : 

" Know all men by these presents, that whereas I, Philip, allies 
Metacum, Chief Sachem of Pakanauket, in the government of New Ply_ 
mouth have ingaged and mortgaged four miles square of land southwardly 
of Taunton bounds to Mr. Constant Southworth, Trieasurer, and having 
already given a deed of three miles in breadth and four miles in length of 
the said land unto some of Taunton, Know also by these presents, that 
I, the said Philip, do by these presents, bargain, sell, give, grant and 
make over unto the said Mr. Constant Southworth, his heirs and assigns 
forever, the other mile in breadth and four mile in length, adjoining to 
the three miles in breadth and four miles in length already sold to Taun- 
ton men, which one mile in breadth and four jniles in length above 



302 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

iiieutioned, I, the said Philip, lor and in consideration of forty-seven 
pounds in I'.and payd by the said Constant Sontliwoith before the sealinji 
& delivery hereof, whereof, I, the said Philip, do acknowledge the re- 
ceipt, and myself therewith fully satisfied and payed. & thereof doe by 
these presents fully, absolutely and clearly exhonerate, aquit and dis- 
charge the said Mr. Constant South worth, liis heirs, executors and 
assigns forever: To Have and to Hold the said mile in breadth and four 
miles in length, with all and singular the rights, privileges and appurte- 
nances within and upon the same or anyways thereunto belonging, to 
the said Mr. Constant Southworth, his heirs aud assigns forever, To him 
and their use, profit and behoof forever, without any trouble, claim or 
molestation from, by, oi' under me. or by my procurement. Further- 
more, I, the said Philip, do hereby covenant and engage to and with the 
said Mr. Constant Southworth his heirs, and assigns, that I have good 
right, full power and lawful authority, in my own name to give, grant, 
bargain, sell, convey and confirm the above mentioned mile of land in 
breadth, and four miles in length as aforesaid, and that it shall and may 
be lawful from time to time and at all times hereafter for him and them 
to have, hold, occupy, enjoy and quietly to possess the same, and by me 
be saved and kept harmless, and free and clear from all charges, troubles 
and suits in law, or any incumbrances that may arise by any peison or 
persons laying any just claim thereunto or to any part thereof, from, by 
or inider me, or by my procurement; furthermore if it appear that there 
be anything yet further to be done for the confirmation of the bargained 
premises unto the said Mr. Constant Southworth, his heirs and assigns, 
I do hereby promise and engage to perform the same. 

In witness whereof, 1 have hereunto set my hand and seale the first 
day of October in the year of oui- Lord one thousnjid six hundred :nid 

seventy-two. 

PHILIP, allies METACUM. his p marke |seiil| 

Signed, sealed & delivered 
in the presence of, 

THOMAS LEONARD. 
HT^GH COLE, 

The O marke of WINNASHUM, allies NIMliOl). 
The T markeof WOANCKOMPAWHAN, 
The W marke of CAPT. ANNAWAN. 
This deed of sale was acknowledged by Philip, alias Metacum. this 
1 day of October, 1()72, before me 

CONSTANT SOIITHWOHTH, Assist. 
This d»'i'(l was acknowledged this 1 : 9: 72: 

before me JOHN ALDEN, Assistant. 



APPENDIX. 303 

This (loed is recorded aerordino; to order of Mr. Nathaniel INforton. 
.Secretary of tlie Court for the jurisdiction of New Plynioutii. See oreat 
book of evidences of hind enrolled, Folio 249. " 

(Ply. Col. Rec. of Deeds Vol. Ill, p. 268, Diohton Prop. 
Rec. p. 7.) 

.Southwoith immediately assigned this last deed to the same 
Committee mentioned in the first deed (for whom doubtless he 
acted in taking it) by an assignment on the back thereof, in these 
words: 

"Know all men by these presents, that I, Constant Southworth, 
Treasurer of the Colonie of New Plymouth, do by the.se presents, for 
me, my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, and in the behalf of 
the Colonie of New Plymouth aforesaid, assijrn, assure, enfeoff and con- 
firm unto Mr. William Brenton, William Harvey, James Walker, Rich- 
ard Williams, Walter Deane, Lieut, (ieorge Macy and John Kichmond 
committee of the town of Taunton, unto them in the behalf of them- 
selves and their heirs, and in the behalf and for the only proper use and 
behoof of the free inhabitants of the said town of Taunton and their 
heirs, the above written deed, with all my right, title and interest, that 
I, the said Constant Southworth, Treasurer, have therein, and tlie said 
Colonie of Plymouth hath therein, from us and every of us, and our 
heirs, executors and administrators. To them the said Committee and 
Inhabitants of the town of Taunton and their and every of their heiis »ft 
assigns forever. 

CONSTANT SOUTHWORTH. Treasurer. 
Signed in the presence of us, 

NATHANIEL MORTON, 
BENJAMIN CHURCH. 

This assignment was acknowledged by Mr. ^Jonstant Southworth, 
Treasurer, this sixth of the first month 72— 7;> 

before me JOHN ALDEN, Assistant. 

(Ply. Col. Rec. of Deeds, Vol. III. p. 2(;s and see Dighton Prop. T{ec. 
p. II.) ■ 

The consideration paid for these two deeds of the four mile 
tract thus amounted to 190 pounds; but there was a prior mort- 
gage on the whole from Philip to the Colony, which on the 27th 
of the 6th month (Sept.) -Constant Southworth, Treasurer, assigned 
to William Harvey and John Richmond in behalf of the town for 
the sum of 83 pounds due thereon, as appears by the following 
transfer ; no record of the mortgage itself being found ; 



h 



304 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

PRENCE COV'r. 

''Plymoutli this 27th of the 0th, 1G72. These are to whom it may 
concern, that Willam Harvey and Jolin Richmond, of Taunton, haue 
j^iuen me bill vnder theire hands, for the sume of eighty three pounds, 
which was due from Phillip, the Sachem, to the Colonie, for which sume 
said Phillip engaged to mee foure miles stjuare of land downe Taunton 
Kiuer and next vnto Taunton bounds, which engagement or mortgage, 1 
heerby make oner vnto the abouesaid Willam Harvey and John P.ich- 
mond, in the behalf e of the Towne, for theire cecuritie for the aforsaid 
bills vnder theire hands made vnto mee; and for the truth of this I haue 
subscribed my hand the day and yeare aboue written. 

CONSTANT SOUTH WORTH, Treasurer. 

(See Old Col. Rec. Court Orders, Vol. 5, Part I, Page 72.) 

If therefore, this 83;^^ be added to the 190^ paid directly to 
Philip, it would seem that the South Purchase cost the purchasers 
273^ in all. 

This whole tract four miles square, was therefore, Nov. 26, 
1672, conveyed by said Committee to the parties interested, by a 
declaratory deed of that date of which this is a copy. (Taunton 
Prop. Records, Vol. IV, p. 232.) 

"Know all men to whom it may concern, that whereas, we, William 
Brenton Esq., Richard Williams, Walter Dean, James Walker, William 
Harvey & John Richmond hath through difficulty obtained of Philip, 
Sachem, and of Mr. Constant Southworth Treasurer for the Colony of 
New Plymouth, a tract of land containing four miles square lying and 
situate below the Three Mile River (so called) for themselves and their 
a.ssociates, as appears by deeds, we the abovesaid William Brenton, Esq.- 
Richard Williams, Walter Dean, James Walker. William Harvey and 
John Richmond, do by these presents declare to be our associates and to 
be equally interested in the abovesaid four miles of land, the now living 
free inhabitants of the town of Taunton who.se names are luiderwritten. 
always provided that all these associates shall truly and faithfully pay 
or cause to be paid their full proportions to the purchase and all othei- 
necessary charges expended in or about the abovesaid land as they shall 
be appointed both to the sum and the species, and time and place of pay- 
ment, but if any of those associates shall refuse or fail to pay their full 
proportion to all payments as abovesaid, they shall lose their right and 
interest to the abovesaid land A: it shall be lawfully forfeited to the re- 
mainder of the associates. Mly. That these associates shall not make 
any alteration of their parts or interest in the abovesaid land to any for- 
eignor, except first approved by the town of Taunton. 



APPENDIX. 



305 



The names of ye Associates. 



George Shove. 
Giles Gilbert. 
Jolm Macomber sr. 
John Dean. 
Peter Pitts. 
John Tisdale sen'r 
Mr. John Pool. 
Edward Rew. 
Henry Andrews Jr. 
Nicholas White sen'r. 
Thomas Leonard. 
Thomas Dean. 
James Tisdale. 
Thomas Linkon sen'r. 
Francis Smith. 
George Watson. 
Shadrach Wilbore. 
Samuel Smith, 
Samuel Hollo way. 
Joseph Hall. 
Increase Robinson. 
Ezra Dean. 
Peter Walker. 
Nicholas White Jr. 
James Leonard Jr. 
Richard Stephens. 
Jonah Astin, Jr. 
John Smith Jun'r. 
Aaron Knap Jr. 



George Macy. 
Hezekiah Hoar. 
James Phillips. 
Joseph Wilbore. 
Thomas Gilbert. 
Christopher Thrasher. 
John Cob. 
Thomas Caswell. 
Samuel Pitts. 
Samuel Hall. 
Nathaniel Williams. 
Joseph Williams. 
Israel Dean. 
Thomas Linkon .Jr. 
James Burt. 
Richard Stacy. 
John Smith sen'r. 
Robert Grossman sen'r. 
Malachi Ilolloway. 
Mary Street. 
Thomas Harvey Jr. 
William Hailstone. 
Israel Thrasher. 
James Bell. 
John Linkon. 
Thomas Williams. 
Richard Briggs. 
John Macomber Jr. 
John Eddy. 



Henry Andrews. 
John Hall. 
John Hathaway. 
Aaron Knap. 
Richard Burt, 
John Briant. 
Edward Bobit. 
William Wetherell. 
Samuel Williams. 
James Leonard sen'r. 
Robert Thornton. 
John Tisdale Jr. 
Jonathan Briggs. 
John Turner. 
Jonah Austin sen'r. 
John Hodges. 
Thomas Harvey sen'r, 
William Paull. 
Ester GoUop. 
Nathaniel Thayer. 
Isaac Dean. 
James Walker Jr. 
Samuel Macy. 
Jared Talbut. 
Stephen Caswell. 
William Wetherell. 
Edward Cobb, 
ye son of John Macomber. 
Thomas Armsbee. 



Joseph Willis. 

"These persons named we acknowledge to be our associates upon 
the condition above written. November 20: 1G72. " 



" Walter Dean. 
William Harvey. 



Richard Williams. 
James Walker. 



John Richmond. " 

Here are eighty-seven persons named as probable owners in 
the South Purchase, but apparently they did not all comply with 
the conditions mentioned in the deed; for in 1683-4 another 
declaratory deed was made to only seventy-seven of the above 
list, as follows, viz : 



\ 



306 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

The Committee's declaration of, or deed, to their Associates. 

"This present writing declareth to all to wliome it may come or 
concerne, That whereas, ye Honoured Court of riymouth, in New Eng- 
land, granted to James Walker, Sen'r, and John Richmond, of Taunton, 
in ye Colonic of riymouth aforesaid, an order to purchase a tract of 
land of the Indians for the free Inhahitants of ye Township of Taunton 
aforesaid, as by ye records of ye said Court as may more fully ai)pear, 
ye above sd tract of land is lying and being on ye west side of Taunton 
Great River, so-called, and for ye better managing of ye sd purchase, the 
free Inhabitants of Taunton aforesaid did add to ye aforesd James 
Walker and John Richmond, William Brenton, Es(juire, Lieft. George 
Macey, Richard Williams. Walter Deane, and William Harvey, all of 
them Inhabitants of Taunton aforesaid, as a Committee to act for and 
in behalf of ye free inhabitants of Taunton aforesaid, that whatsoever 
this above named Committee, or the major part of them shall doe in 
or respecting ye premises aforesaid should stand firm and good, as by 
ye records of ye Town may at large appear, the above named Committee 
obtaining deeds for ye afovesd tract of land, under ye hand and seals of 
ye right proprietors thereof to be to ye abovsd Committee and their 
Associates, and to their heirs, executors, and assigns, the sd Committee 
declaring under their hands who might be their full Associates in all 
respects whatsoever in ye said tracts of land named in ye said deeds 
from Philip Sachem, alias Metacombe, and Mr. Constant Southworth, 
treasurer for ye Colony aforesd, dated ye 28th day of September, 1072, 
and its other deed ye first day of October, in year 1()72, upon conditions 
inserted iii ye records of said Towne, hearing date ye Gth December, 1072, 
as by ye records of ye said Towne may apper : Now, we, ye aforesd Com- 
mittee do by these presents declare that these men whose names are un- 
derwritten, and 4ione but these, are fully associated and as fully com- 
pletely and firmly interested and entitled in ye above sd Tract of land, 
specified in ye above named deeds, as this above named Committee 
whose names .are inserted in ye sd deeds, and as equally interested as it 
is already laid out by lott, and in that part of ye abovesd lands which 
shall or may be hereafter or may be hereafter divided by lott, firm and 
free to them and their heirs, executors administrators and assigns 
forever, acknowledging these and none but these, performed all condi- 
tions specified in ye said declaration bearing date December ye 0th, 1072 
as abovesd; in confirmation hereof we, the major part of the abovesd 
Committee, have set to our hands under ye names of ye Associates this 
18th of March, 1083-4" 

Mr. George Shove. Israel Deane. 

Henry Andrews. Jonathan Hiiggs. 

Mr. Giles Gilbert. John Turner. 



APPENDIX. 



307 



Hezekiali Hoar. 
John Hall. 
John Macomber, Sr. 
James Phillips. 
John Hathaway. 
John Dean. 
Joseph Wilbore. 
Avon Knapp. 
Peter Pitts. 
Thomas Gilbert. 
Richard Burt. 
John Tisdale, Sr. 
Christopher Thrasher. 
John Poole. 
Edward Bobbitt. . 
Edward Rew. 
Thomas Caswell. 
William Witherell. 
Henry Andrews, Jr. 
Samuel Pitts. 
Nicholas White, Sr. 
Samuel Hall. 
James Leonard, Sr. 
Thomas Lincoln, Sr. 
Thomas Lincoln, Jr. 
Francis Smith. 
James Burt. 
Jonah Austin, Sr. 
George Watson. 
Thomas Leonard. 
Nathaniel Williams. 
Robert Thornton. 
Thomas Deane. 
Joseph Williams. 
John Tisdale, Jr. 
James Tisdale. 



Richard Stacey. 
John Hodges. 
Shadrach Wilbore. 
John Smith, Sr 
Thomas Harvey, Sr. 
Samuel Smith. 
Robert Grossman, Sr. 
William Paul. 
Samuel Holloway. 
Malachi Holloway. 
Ester Gallop. 
Joseph Hall. 
James Leonard, Jr. 
John Lincoln. 
Richard Stephens. 
Joseph Willis. 
Mary Street. 
Nathaniel Thayer. 
Increase Robinson. 
Thomas Harvey, Jr. 
Isaac Deane. 
Ezra Deane. 
Thomas Williams. 
William Witherell Jr, 
Richard Briggs. 
Samuel Williams. 
James Walker, Jr. 
Peter Walker. 
Israel Thrasher. 
Samuel Macey. 
Nicholas White, Jr. 
Jared Talbot. 
John Smith, Jr. 
John Macomber, Jr. 
Thomas Amesbery. 



The names of the Committee are these, — 

GEORGE MACEY, [seal] 

JAMES WALKER, [seal] 

WALTER DEANE, [seal] 

JOHN RICHMOND, [seal] 

This 80th of December, 1GS4, ye Associates above named hath by 
vote chosen John Richmond and John Hathaway Sr. to see this writing 



308 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

signed, sealed, and delivered before a magistrate, and also to see it re- 
corded in ye Court Roles at Plymouth. 

George Macey, James Walker, Walter Deane, and John Richmond, 
being ye major part of ye Committee above mentioned, appeared ye 20 
March, 1684, and acknovi'ledged this instrument to be their act and deed, 
before 

JOHN WALLET, Assist. 

(Ply. Col. Rec. of Deeds, Vol. V. p. 80l\ Dighton Prop, Records, 
Vol. L p. ir.. 

Thus far the Taunton Purchases had all been made originally 
of the Indians, with or without a confirmatory deed from the Gov- 
ernment. But Assonet Neck, a peninsular between the Great 
River and its Assonet Branch, about two miles long and less than 
one broad, the natives had always refused to sell, if indeed the 
white people were allowed to buy. It was seized by the Colony to 
pay the expenses of the Indian Wars, and in 1675 the lands "att 
Assonett Necke 200 pounds" were pledged by the General Court 
for the " incurragement of the souldiers sent forth on the first 
expedition against the Indians'" as indicated by this order: 

•'Whereas the Court for the incurragement of the souldiers sent 
forth on the first expedition against the Indians, did order and engage, 
according to theire desire, that they should have theire pay in mony or 
lands; and noe way att psent appeering to raise monyes, doe, theirfore, 
for theire satisfaction, order, that certaine tracts of land be assigned, to 
the vallue of about one thousand pounds, to be deuided amongst them 
for the payment of theire respectiue ptes due vnto them; the said tracts 
assigned being att Showamett supposed to be neare the vallue of 500", 
att Assonett Necke 200", att Assowmasett, 200", and about Agawaam and 
Sepecan, one hundred pound; soe as the said tractes shallbe more 
pticularly viewed and vallued as att mony prise, according to such indif- 
ferent rates as they might haue bine esteemed worth when the said or- 
der was made; and for the better effecting thereof, the Treasurer, Major 
Cudworth, Cornett Studsou, and James Walker are desired and appoint- 
ed to take view thereof and make reporte to the Court or councell, for 
the settleing of the same att such reasonable rates as to them shall seem 
meet, to be deuided to the said soldiers, or sold for theire pay or dis- 
charge of other nessesarie dues occationed by this warr. " (Ply. Col. 
Rec. Vol. V. p. 191.) 

And in July 1677, the Court ordered said lands to be sold, 
and the proceeds divided among the several towns according to 



APPENDIX. 309 

their disbursements towards the war, and if not sold the lands 
themselves should be divided. (V Ply. Col. Rec. p. 240.) 

On Nov. 12th 1677 Constant Southworth, the Treasurer of 
the Colony conveyed these Assonet lands to George Shove, James 
Walker, James Tisdale, Walter Deane, William Harvey and Rich- 
ard Williams which Mr. Baylies says were divided among them, 
May 23d, 1680. This tract was, in July 1682, annexed to and 
made a part of Taunton by order of the General Court at Ply- 
mouth in these words : 

"July 1682. This Court orders the laud called Assoiiett Neckc, 
beiiis purchased by some of Taunton, that the said tract of land slialbe 
in the townshipp of Taunton." (VI Ply. Col. Rec. p. 94.) 

This was apparently the last addition of territory to Taunton. 
At the incorporation of Dighton in 17 12, it was included in the 
boundaries of that town, but owing probably to its inaccessibility 
from Dighton it was added to Berkley in 1799 and still remains in 
that municipality. A copy of the act annexing it to Berkley fol- 
lows. 

Chap. oo. — An act to set off part of tlie town of Difthtou, in the 
County of Bristol and to annex the same to the town of Berkley, in said 
county. 

Be it enacted by tlie Senate and House of Representatives in General 
Court assembled, and by tlie authority of tlie same, That all the lands 
called Assonet Neck, lying within the following bounds, now belonging 
to the town of Dighton, in the County of Bristol, viz. : Beginning at the 
bead of a " Cove " called Smith's Cove, a bound between the said towns 
of Dighton and Berkley, and running southwesterly by said Cove on the 
line between tlie towns aforesaid to the Great River; then running 
down stream by said river till it comes to Assonet River; then up stream 
on Assonet River till it comes to the line of the town of Freetown; then 
running northeasterly on said Freetown line till it comes to the line of 
said town of Berkley; then northwesterly on said Berkley line to the 
place of beginning at the liead of the Cove, with the inhabitants there- 
on be, and the same are hereby set off from said town of Dighton, and 
annexed to said town of Berkley. Provided, that the inhabitants living 
on said tract of land shall bo holden to pay their proportion of all legal 
taxes which have been assessed, ordered or voted to be laid on said 
Dighton by the inhabitants thereof or by the General Court in the same 
manner as though this Act had never passed. 



3IO QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATJON. 

In 1685 Gov. Hinckley made a confirmatory deed of all the 
lands then belonging to Taunton, the language of which clearly 
indicated that the first purchase of Taunton was made of Mas- 
sasoit and is in these words : 

"BE IT KNOWN TO ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: 

That whereas the Goiivcrnour & Associats of this liis Maj'ties Col- 
lony being assembled tof^etlier in General Court in the year of our Lord 
1040 did grant unto Mrs. Elizabeth Pool, Mr. Nicholas Street ct some 
others and to such as they should associate to them a tract of land for a 
plantation called by the natives Cohanet as by the Records of ye said 
Gi'ant with ye explanation thereof doth and may appear which hath now 
for upwards of forty years been settled and brought into a Townshi]) 
called known by ye name of Taunton. The first settlers, pro- 
prietors ct some of ye inhabitants haveing allso purchased ye sd. lands 
of Woosoquequen the then Cheefe Sachem of Mount HoiJe, and the Po- 
kanet Countrey and since confirmed unto them by Philip his son as by 
Record doth appear and likewise have made several aditions of lands to 
ye said Towneship by purchase from said Philip by deeds under his 
hand and seal. And from Isbond another Indian with the Courts allow- 
ance, and from others of their neighbour English. All which appears 
upon ye Records of this Court. The lines and bounds of the whole 
Township as it now lyeth run and stated between them & other of the 
neighbour towns and plantations are as foUoweth, viz: first taking into 
said Township, Assonate Neck with the meadow land thereon & there- 
about. Belonging to Taunton as appears by ye Agreement between 
Taunton agents & ye Freetown agents as appears allso by Record. And 
so ye Township of Taunton to goo to and border upon the Township of 
tfreetown. And an cast & by south line running between them four miles 
as by Couit grant in Anno Domini 1640 and said Agreement and Record 
doth appear, until it come to Middlebury bounds and thence on a right 
line between Middlebury and Taunton townships to Basting Brook as by 
Record doth appear and from thence northerly on a line between Mid- 
dlebury and Taunton Townships and between Taunton and ye land be- 
longing to some Indians at Titicut until it meet with and come to ye 
bounds between s'd Taunton and Bridgcwater on the westerly side of 
Taunton Great River, agreed upon by the Agents of the respective towns 
& so running from station to station on the bounds, between the town- 
ships of Taunton and Bridgewater as by the agreement between s'd 
agents doth a])pear upon Record, untill it meet an East by south line 
ruiniing between the Townshij) of Taunton and a tract of land called the 
North purchass taking in to Taunton Township all the meadows on both 
sides Taunton River on the upper Bide of a line running from ye i)oint of 



APPENDIX. 311 

Assonate neck next to Taunton River cioss to the vvestwardly side said 
River on a west and by north point and from thence to the bounds be- 
tween Taunton & Swanzey by the water side and so running? from ye 
water side four miles west and by north and from the end of that four 
miles to run north and by east until it meet with the line of the Courts 
first "rant, which was to run foui- miles west & by north from two 
marked trees at a place called the pond near three Mile River and from 
thence running north and by west eight miles and from thence upon an 
east and by south line untill it meet with the afores'd bounds between 
Taunton and Bridgewater and the aforesaid north purchass. All which 
lands both of upland, Marsh, meadow. Islands and Swamp, contained 
within the bounds and lines afores'd and all other lands and meadows 
above expressed at Assonate and both sides of Assonate Bay alltho some 
of said meadows not falling within these lines yet the property of them 
doth belong to the proprietors of Taunton and the rest being within the 
afores'd lines are hereby declared to be of and belong unto the said 
township of Taunton, both jurisdiction of Township and soyle. 

Now Know Yee that I, Thomas Hinckley Gov. of his Majesties Col- 
lony of New Plimouth afores'd for our Sovereign Lord, the King, by 
vertue of the power committed to me as well as by an Act and order 
made by William Bradford and his Associates assembled in Court Anno 
Dom. 10;)0 as by after Acts and orders of Court since made for ye more 
full assurance and absolute confirmation of all the said lands above men- 
tioned both upland, Marsh, Meadows. Swamps, together with all the 
wood, trees, timber, underwood lyeing, standing or growing thereon or 
on any part or parcel thereof, <fe all rivers, brooks, creeks, coves, bays, 
ponds & waters therein or thereunto belonging, together with all rocks 
stones, mines, minnorals with all herbage, feedings rights, liberties, 
privileges & appurtenances thereto belonging or anywise appertain- 
ing as to other grants of Court have been accustomed unto the propri- 
ated Inhabitants and other proprietors alltho. not inhabing the said 
Town of Taunton according to each person, his or her several respective 
rights title and interest therein. To have and to hold the same unto ye 
said proprietors respectively and to their respective heirs and assigns 
forever to be holden of his Majestic his lieires and his successors as of 
his Manor, of East Greenwich in the County of Kent in the Kealme of 
England in free & common soccage & not in capitis nor by Knts 
service, yielding and paying to our Sovereign Lord the King, his heirs 
and successors, the one-fifth part of the ore of gold and silver and one 
other fifth part to the president and council according to the form and 



312 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

tenour of our grant. Granted in our Charter or Patent having hereunto 
fixed the common seal of ye Government. Given the tenth day of June 
Anno Dom. 1685 Annoqe R Rs. Jacobi secundi primo &c. 

THOMAS HINCKLEY Publique 

and ye 
seal. 

Vera Copia extracted from the original & entered upon record March 
ye 28, 1709 by John Gary Recordr. | Bristol Co. No. District Land 
Records, Book V. Pages 479 & 480.] 

By all these conveyances it would seem that Taunton had a 
perfect title to all the lands therein mentioned ; but in 1689 Major 
William Bradford having made some claim to all this territory, the 
town paid him twenty pounds for his alleged rights, and he gave a 
deed of release and confirmation to John Poole and one hundred 
and three others, whose names are given in Vol. IV of Mr. Baylies' 
Memoirs, p. 81, and note. 

There was therefore much foundation for the statement of 
John Richmond, son of the first purchaser, of that name, made in 
1698, in a letter from him to Lieut.-Col. Elisha Hutchinson and 
others, dated Taunton, April 30, 1698, to be found in the State 
Archives, Vol. 113, p. 167, in which he says: — 

"We bought it first of Woosamequin in the year '39 or '40 (this was 
in my minority) the sum paid I know not; then we bought all again of 
Philip, and paid him 10 pounds for it; then we bought that very spot of 
Josiah, lie claiming some land there as appears by his deed, then we 
bought that spot again, with other land of Maj. Bradford, he had 20 
pounds more," etc. 

By the foregoing deeds it appears that the South Purchase, 
was originally about four miles square ; but a controversy soon arose 
between Taunton and Swansey as to the new territory, which in 
1672 was referred to the General Court at Plymouth, which made 
this order thereon : 

"In reference to a controversye depending betwixt the townes of 
Taunton and Swansey respecting the hmds mortgaged to the Treasurer 
by Philip, the sachem, being by the said townes respectiue agents re- 
ferred to this Court for the finall determination and issue thereof, wliose 
pleas being heard and duly weyed, this Court orders, that the three miles 
first purchased, for whicli a deed hath been obtained of the said sachem, 



APPENDIX. 313 

shalbe and belonj^c vnto the townc of Taunton, and accounipted within 
theiie township, provided that Swansey men doe pay or cause to be 
payed thcire full part of the payment made or to be made for the re- 
deeminf? of the said lands mortgaged, or for the farther payment of the 
purchase vnto Philip, according both for specie and time equally pro- 
portionable to the other lands purchased as aboucsaid; alsoe that Swan- 
sey men shall from time to time allow convenient ways to Taunton men 
vnto their meddows lying within the line of Swansey and timber to 
fence them, with such smalle stripjjs or points of vpland to run theire 
fence on as may be necessary for fencing the said meddowes, and that 
the said meddowes bee exempted from rates att Swansey." (Ply. Col. 
Rcc. Vol. V, page 107.] 

But this adjustment did not apparently prove satisfactory, for 
on the next July the agents of each town made a division by 
which " the property of the two miles abutting on the salt water 
shall belong to Taunton, and that the property of the other two 
miles, running into the woods shall appertain and belong to Swan- 
sey, the town of Swansey paying to Taunton thirteen pounds ten 
shillings, [Ply. Col. Deeds, Vol IV, p. 105] This accounts for the 
projection of a corner of Swansey into the southwest corner of 
Dighton, and which has since been called "The Two Mile Pur- 
chase." 



APPENDIX S. 

[P;)j;e 48.1 



In the Spring of 162 i, (March) Massasoit and the Colonists 
entered into an alliance, called the Peace of Plymouth, the terms 
of which were : 

" First, That neither Massasoit, nor any of liis, should injurr nor do 
hurt to any of the Colony. 

Secondly, That if any of his did any hurt to any of theirs, he should 
send the offender that they might punish him. 

Thirdly, That if any thing was taken away from any of theirs, he 
should cause it to be restored, and they should do the like to his. 

FuiirtJtly, That if any did unjustly war against him, they would aid 



314 QUARTER MILLP:NNIAL CELEBRATION. 

hiin; and if any <li(l war aj^ainst tlicni he .should aid llRnii. 

FifUdij, Tliat he shoukl send to his neighbour confederates to eertify 
them of this, that tliey might not wrong them, but might be likewise 
comprised in the conditions of Peace. 

Sixt/dy, That when his men come to them on any occasion, they 
should leave their Arms, (viz. : Bows and Arrows) Ijehind them. 

Seventlily, That, so doing, the Sovereign Lord, King James, should 
esteem him as his friend and Ally." 

[Neal's Hist, of New England. Vol. 1, p. iis.] 

This treaty renewed in March, 1639, was faithfully kept by 
Massasoit until his death in 1660 or i66t. His son Alexander 
succeeded him, but died in about a year afterward. Philip then be- 
came the Chief Sachem, and in August, 1662, renewed the treaty 
of his father with the Colonists, which is thus recorded in the Ply. 
Col. Rec. Vol. IV, p. 26. 

"Att a Court of Assistants held att riyniouth on the sixth day 
August anno Dom. 1(5(32 Philii>, alias Mettacum, sachem of Pocanokctt. 
making his appearance, did earnestly desire the continuance of that 
amitie and friendship that hath formerly bine between this gounicnt and 
his deceased father and brother; and to that end the said Phillip doth for 
himselfe, and his successors desire that they may foreuer remain subject 
to the Kingc of England, his hcires and success(.)rs, and doth faithfully 
promise and engage that hee will not att any time needlessly or vnjustly 
prouke or raise warr with any other of the natiues, nor att any time giuc. 
sell or any way dispose of any lands to him or them appertaining to any 
strangers, or to any without our priuity, consent, or apitointment, but 
will in all things indeauor to carry i>caccably and inoffcnciuelly towards 
the English. 

And the .said Court did tlicn alsoc cxjiressc tlicirc willingness to con- 
tinew with him and his aln)ucsaid friendshiii, and doe on their i)tc prom- 
ise that they will afoard tliem such friendly assistance by aduise and 
otherwi.sc as they justly may; and wee will re(piire our English att all 
times to carry frindly towards them. In witness whereof the sai<l 
Phillip, the sachem, hath sett his hand, as alsoc liisvnkcll, and witncsst'd 
vnto by sundry other of his chiefmen. 

The marke of P Phillip allis Metacum, Sachem of P(Kanakctt. 

The marke of Vncumpowett, Vnkell to the abouesaid sachem. 

Witnesse John Sasomon, 

The marke of Francis, the sachem Nausett. 

The maike of N'imrod allis Punipasa. 

The marke of Punckijuaneck. 

The marke of .Vqucta(inesh. 



APPENDIX. 315 

At the meeting in Taunton, in April, 1671, at which the Com- 
missioners from Plymouth were Gov. Prince, Josias Winslow, and 
Constant Southworth, Philip signed this document : 

•'Taunton, April lotli, KiTl. 
Whereas, my father, my brother and myself have formerly sulimitted 
ourselves and our people unto the kinj^'s majesty of England, and to this 
colony of New Plymouth, by solemn covenant under our haiul; but 1 hav- 
ing of late through my indiscretion, and the naughtiness of my heart, 
violated and broken this my covenant with my friends, by taking up 
arms with evil intent against them, and that groundlessly; I being now 
deeply sensible of my unfaithfulness and folly, do desire at this time 
solemnly to renew my covenant with my ancient friends, and my father's 
friends above mentioned, and do desire (that) this may testify to the 
world against me, if ever I shall fail in my faithfulness toward them 
(whom I have now and at all times found so kind to me) or any other of 
the English colonies; and as a real pledge of my true intentions, for the 
future to be faithful and friendly, 1 do freely engage to resign up unto 
the government of New Plymouth, all my English arms, to be kept by 
them for their security, so long as they shall see reason. For the true 
performance of the premises, I have hereunto set my hand, togetlier with 
the rest of my council. 

The mark of Philip, chief sachem of Pocanoket. 
In presence of — The mark of Tavoser. 

William Davis. The mark of Capt. Wispoke. 

William Hudson. The mark of Woonkaponchunt. 

Thomas Brattle. The mark of Nimrod." 

[Mather's Hist, of Indian Wars. Postscript, p. 7.] 
[Hubbard's Ind. Wars, Vol. I.] 

As Philip did not promptly bring in his guns, as stipulated in 
in the foregoing agreement, a letter was sent to him by the Colony, 
dated May 27, 167 1, as follows; — 

•' Since o'' treaty att Taunton, we are vnsattislied in many things,but 
especially yt you have not so freely and fully as we expected jicr- 
formed your Tender and or agreement respecting the bringing in of all 
your guns. We heare of very few you have brought in, though it was 
known you had a great number of men in amies but n day or tow before 
the treaty, and many were knowncto return to Mount hope with Armes 
after the Treaty, and p'ticularly an Indian called John, the interpreter, 
is known to have carryed home tow guns, and lives by you, and yet you 
call them not in; nor have given any order, as is said, to some t)f your 
men (as in p'ticular them att Assonett) about In'inging in these armes. 



3l6 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

And yt you had a roiisiderabli! iiunibciot' men near Taunton in Annes atl 
tlie Time of our Ticaty,to what intent may be Easilie conjectured. These 
and what Elee we might mention makes to judfie it Expedient yt you 
slioukl come down and speake w'l' us at our j;cnerall Court the besinninj; 
of next Month, that so if it may l)e, peace and <;(>o(l a<;reement may be 
continued between us. Thus expectinj;- your Compliance liere in we rest. 

Your friends. 
Labelled — 

Gov. PlilNCE. 

A copy of this Letor sent 
to Phillip since the treaty 
at Taunton. 

[See Winslow Papers, in Ma.ss. Hist. Soc'y. ]>. ■")'.».] 

To this letter Philip, so far as known, made no response. Ac 
cordingly in June following, the guns which he had delivered on the 
loth of April, were declared forfeit by the General Court, by this 
order : 

" The Court determines all the guns in our hanils that ilid belonge to 
Phillip are justly forfeit, and doe att the psent order of the dcuiiling of 
them, to be kept att the severall townes according to theire eiiuall pro- 
portions, vntill October Court next, and then to be at the Courts dispose, 
as reason may appeer to them, and then to belonge vnto the townes. if 
not otherwise disposed of. By the Court. 

That which the Court grounds theire judgment vpon is: 

For that att the treaty att Taunton Philip and his eouncel did ac- 
knowlidge that they had bine in preparation for warr against vs: and 
that not grounded vpon any injury sustained from vs, nor prouocation 
given by us, but from theiie own naughty harts, and because hec had 
formerly violated and broken solleme couenants made and renewed to 
vs; hee then freely tendered (not being in a capasitie to be kept faithful! 
by any other bonds; to resigne vp all his English amies, for our future 
cccuritie in that respect; hee failed greatly in pforance thereof by ce- 
crett conveying away and carrying home seuerall guns that might and 
should have bine deliuered, and not giuing them \p since, according to 
his engagement, nor soe far as is in his power; as appeers in that many 
guns are knowne still to be amongst the Indians that Hue by him, and 
not soe much as giuing order to some of his men. that arc under iiis 
ymcdiate comaund, about the bringing in of theire amies.'' 

[Ply. Col. Kec, Vol. V, p. (W.] 

Philip, still continuing to act in a hostile and threatening 
manner towards the Plymouth Colony, was summoned before the 



APPENDIX. 317 

Council of War at Plymouth, the result of which is thus stated in 
their records. 

" Seurall conclusions agreed on by the Councell of Warr att theire 
Meeting held at Plymouth on the 2S of August, 1671, ns followeth. 

I. The councell of war, haueing seriously considered of the case In 
reference to the Phillipe, the cheife sachem of Pacanacutt, hee hauing 
neglected to answare his ingagement to bring in his armes att the day 
appointed, aud alsoe in his not coming in to giue the reason thereof, 
being required thervnto, and his vnkind carriages towards vs as other 
wise, soe in his indeauoring to insence our naighbour collonie against vs 
by misinformations and by his insolent carriages and expressions of vs 
and against vs and likewise by his entertaining of many strange Indians 
which miht ptend danger toward vs; in special by his entertaineing of 
diners Sacouett Indians, professed enemies to this collonie, and this 
against good councell giuen him by his best friends; the pmises consid- 
ered, doe vnanimously agree and conclude, that the said Philip hath vio- 
lated his couenant plighted with this collonie att Taunton in April! last. 

II. It is vnanimously agreed and concluded by the said councell, 
that we are necessarily called to cause the said Sachem to make his 
psonall appeerauce to make his purgation in reference to the pmises; 
which in case of his refusall, the councell, according to what att psent 
appeers, doe determine it necessary to indeauor his reducement by force; 
and inasmuch as the controuersy, which hath seemed to ly more eme- 
diately between him and vs, doth concerne all the English plantations, it 
is therefore determined to state the case to our naighbour collonies of 
the Massachusetts and Rhode Island ; and if by theire waighty advice to 
the contrary wee are diuerted from our psent determinations, to signify 
vnito them, that if they looke vpon themselues concerned to engage in the 
case with vs against a comon enimie, it shalbe well accepted as a naigh- 
bourly kindnes, tvhich we shall hold ourselves obliged to repay when 
Prouidence may soe dispose that wee haue opportunitie. 

Accordingly, le'rs were despatched and sent from the councell, one 
vnto the said Phillip, the said sachem, to require his psonall apperance 
att Plymouth on the l:5th day of September next in reference to the 
ptculares aboue mencioncd against him; this letter was sent by Mr. 
James Walker, one of the councell, and hee was ordered to request the 
companie of Mr. Roger Williams and Mr. James Browne to goe with him 
att the deliuery of the said letter. 

What success Mr. Walker had as bearer of this letter to Philip 
is disclosed in this letter from him to Gov. Prince, on the first of 
Sept. as follows : 



3l8 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

JAMES WALKER TO GOVERNOR PRINCE. 
Much Honovred Sir, 

AFTER my humble respects presented to you, these are to acquaint 
you with Philip's answer to your letter. My sons being visited with the 
ague, forced me to procure brother Ilarvey to go over to cousin James 
Brown with the letter, who sent for Mr. Williams to interpret; Mr. Wil- 
liams not being well, came not till afterwards; yet cousin James and 
brother Harvey went down to Mount Hope; and the dance being broken 
up, Philip and the most of his chief men were much in drink; only Ac- 
umpouin and Tom Sancsuik were sober; so that Philip could not then 
give any answer. Only there passed some words betwixt Philip and 
cousin James, and Philip struck off cousin James Brown's hat. The day 
following they went again to Philip, and Mr. Williams with them. The 
letter being read and Philip caused fully to understand it, they could get 
no positive answer about Philip's coming to Plymouth, because Mr. Eliot 
had sent for him to Boston, and he looked for another messenger that 
day; which messenger they met about two miles from Philip's house; 
which messenger told them that his message was to desire Philip to be 
at Punkapoge the last day of this week, and at Boston the Tuesday fol- 
lowing. Philip and Tom exclaimed much against Sausiman for report- 
ing that any of the Narragansett sachems were there. Not further to 
trouble you; but rest desiring the good Lord to be with you, and guide 
you in all your weighty affairs. 

Yours to serve, 
Taunton, Sept. 1, 1071. JAMES WALKER. 

The records of the Council then proceed as follows : 

And another letter was sent to the Gour. and Councell of the 
Massachesetts by the hands of Mr. John Freeman, one of our majes- 
trates, and a third was directed to the Gour. and Councell of Rhode 
Hand, and sent by Mr. Thomas Hinckley and Mr. Constant Southwoith, 
two other of our majestrates, whoe are ordered by our Councell with 
the letter to vnfold our psent state of matters relating to the pmises, 
and to certify them alsoe more certainly of the time of the meeting to- 
gether in reference to engagement with the Indians, if theire be a goe- 
ing forth, which wilbe on the 20 of September next. 

It was further ordered by the Councell, that those formerly pressed 
shall remaine vuder the same impresment vntil the next meeting of the 
said Councell on the 13th day of September next, and soe alsoe vntill 
the intended expedition is issued; vnlesse they shall see cause to alter 
them, or adde or detrate from them, as occation may require. 

And that all other matters remaine as they were in way of prepara- 
tion to the said expedition, vntill wee shall see the mind of God further 
by the ptcuUires forenamed, improued for that purpose. 



APPENDIX. 319 

It was further ordered by the Councell, that all the townes within 
this jurisdiction shall in the interem be sollisitously carefull to prouide 
for theire safety by convenient watches and wardings, and carrying 
theire armes to the meetings on the Lords dayes, in such manor as will 
best stand with theire pticulare and the comon safety. 

And in pticulare, they ordered, that a guard shalbe prouided for the 
safety of the Gou'nors pson, during the time of the abouenamed troubles 
and expeditions. 

And the Councell were sumoned by the presedent to make theire 
psonall appeerance at riymouth, on the thirteenth day of September 
next, to attend such further business as shalbe then psented by Proui- 
dence in reference to the pmises. 

The action of the Council at the next meeting is thus stated : 

On the 13th of September, 1G71, the councell of warr appeered 
according to theire sumons, but Phillip the sachem, appeered not, but in 
sted thereof repaired to the Massachusetts, and made complaint against 
vs to diners of the gentlemen in place there, who wrote to our Gour. by 
way of pswasion, to aduise the Councell to a complyance with the said 
sachem, and tendered theire healp in the achieuing thereof, declaring in 
sume that they resented not his offence soe deeply as wee did, and that 
they doubted whether the couenants and engagements that Phillip and 
his predecessors had plighted with vs would plainly importe that hee 
had subjected himselfe and people and country to vs any further then as 
ju a naighbrly and frindly correspondency. 

The Councell, haueing deliberated vpon the pmises, dispatched away 
letters declareing theire thankfull acceptance of theire kind proffer, and 
invited the comissioners of the Massachusetts and Conecticut (they then 
being in the bay) ife some other gentlemen, to come to Plymouth and 
aford vs theire help; and accordingly on the 24th of September, 1071, 
Mr. John Winthorpe, Gour. of Conecticott, Major Generall Lenerett, 
Mr. Thomas Danforth, Captaine Wilam Dauis, with diuers others, came 
to Plymouth, and had a faire and deliberate hearing of the controuer.sy 
between our CoUonie and the said sachen, Phillip, hee being psonally 
psent, there being alsoe competent interpretors, both English and In- 
dians, att which meeting it was proued by sufficient testimony to the 
conviction of the said Phillip, and satisfaction of all that audience, both 
the said gentlemen and others, that hee had broken his couenant made 
with our collonie att Taunton, in April last, in diuers pticulares, as alsoe 
carryed very vnkindly vnto us diuers wayes. 

1. In that hee detained and neglected to bring in the resedue of his 
English amies, not deliuered att Taunton, according to his engagement, 
and that notwithstanding hee was allowed competent time, yea, his 



320 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

time enlarged, yett hce neglected as aforesaid, and instead of bringing 
them in, improiied the oppertnnity of time rather to make them out of 
the way. 

2. That hee had carryed insolently and proudly towards vs on 
seuerall occations, in refusing to come down to our Court, when sent 
for to have speech with him, to procure a right understanding of matters 
in difference betwixt vs. 

3. That hee entertained, harboured, and abetted diners Indians, 
not of his owne men, which were vagabonds, our proffessed enimies, 
who leaning their own sachem, repaired to him and were harboured. 

4. That notwithstanding the great wronge hee had done vnto vs in 
these and such like respects, instead of repairing to the Court, and to 
endeauer a reconcilliation, hee takes his journey into the Massachusetts 
Bay, with seuerall of his councell, indeauoring to insinuate himselfe 
into the majestrates, and to misrepresent matters vnto them, whoe are 
our good frinds and naighbors, and what in him lay, therby to work 
mischeife and difference between them and vs, 

5. That hee had shewed great inciuillitie to diners of ours att seuer- 
all times, in special vnto Mr. James Browne, whoe was sent by the 
Court on speciall occations as a messenger vnto him, and vnto Hugh 
Cole att another time, &c. 

The gentlemen forenamed, takeing notice of the pmises, haueing 
fully heard what the said Phillip could say for himselfe, haueing free 
liberty soe to doe without interruptioni, adjudged that hee had don vs a 
great deal of wronge and injury respecting the pmises, and alsoe abused 
them by carrying lyes and falce stories to them, and soe misrepresenting 
matters vnto them, and they pswaded him to make an acknowlidgment 
of his fault and to seek for reconcilliation, expressing themselves that 
there is a great difference between what he asserted to the gou'ment in 
the Bay and what hee could now make out concerning his pretended 
wronges; and such had bine the wrong and damage that hee had done 
and procured vnto the collonie as ought not to be bourne without com- 
petent repairation and satisfaction; yea, that hee by his insolencyes had 
in probabillitie occationed more mischeife from the Indians amongst 
them then had fallen out in many yeares before; they pswaded him 
therefore to humble himselfe vnto the majestrates, and to amend 
his wayes if hee expected peace, and that if hee went on in his 
refractory way, hee must expect to smart for it, the pticulares whereof 
are more att large to be seen in a full discourse between our majestrates 
and the gentlemen aforesaid and him, which is extant. In fine, seuerall 
propositions were drawn vp and read, every which hee was left to accept 
of or reject, as he should see cause, in reference vnto his entering into a 
new couenant with vs; and alsoe in reference to a way of reparation of 



I 



APPENDIX. 321 

some pte of tlie wrong's don vnto us, the ooiitents whereof are as follow- 
ftli. by him accepted of and signed vnto. 

New Plymouth, this 29th. of ISeptember, lt)71. 

1. Wee Phillip, my councell, and my subjects, doe acknowledge 
ourselues subjects to his ma'tie the Kings of England, &c. and the 
gou'ment of New Plymouth, and to theire lawes. 

2. I am willing and doe promise to pay vnto the gou'ment of New 
Plymouth one hundred pounds in such things as I haue, but I would 
entreat the fauor that I might haue three yeares to pay it in, forasmuch 
as I can not doe it at psent. 

;l I do pmise to send in to the Gour. or to whom hee sliall appoint. 
Hue wolues heads, if I can gett them, or as many as I can procure, vntill 
they come to the number of fine wolues yearly. 

4. If any difference falls between the English and my selfe or ])eople. 
then r due promise to repaire to the (xour. of Plymouth to rectify the dif- 
fcrenci' amongst vs. 

."). T doe promise not tt) make warr with any but witli the (iouernors 
Mpliiobation of New Plymouth. 

(i. 1 promise not to dispose of any of the lands that T haue att 
present, but by the approbation of the gou'ment of New Plymouth. 

For the true pformance of the pmises, I, the said Phillip sachem of 
Paukanaukett. doe heerby bind my selfe and such of my councell as are 
psent. our seines, our heires and successors, faithfully and truely to 
l>forme. In witness heerof wee haue heerunto subscribed our hands the 
day and yeare aboue written. 

The marke p of PHILLIP, Sachem. 
The marke T of WOHKOWPAHENITT. 
The marke of | WATTAKOOSEEIM. 
The marke of / SONKANUHOO. 
The marke of 3. WOONASHUM, 

allies NIjMROP. 
The marke of Y WOOSPASUCK, 

allies CAPTAINE. 

In the presence of the Court and diners of the majestrates and other 
gentlemen of the juri.sdiction oi the :Massacliusetts and Conecticut.— 

Takamunna, a sachem att Saconett, appered in Court this third of 
Xouember, (71) with Phillip, cheife sachem, and did engage for the fu- 
ture that hee, vnder the said Phillip, would stand to and abide by the 
same engagement of subjection to the Kiuges ma'tie of England, this 
g(»u"ment and the lawes thereof, with other articles in the engagement, 
wlicretd the said Phillii) hath subscribed as aboue said, and that the said 



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322 QUARTER MILLF.NNI.AI. CF.T.F.P.RATION. 

Takaiimiiiia shall and will l.rii 
wolfs lu-ad vnto tlu' Tirasnifi 
eujja.UL' lor the said Takain 111111 
]H.iiits tht'ivot. 

Ill witiics whcrot. 1. the s; 

The maike of Y TAKA^rrXXA. 
The progress in this conflict is indicated by this narrative. 
Plymouth Commissioners Presented this following-: 
NAKRATIVE showino; tlie manor of the heginniiisj; of the Present 
Warr with the Indians of >[ount Hope and Poeassett: 

A BRIEF Narratiue of the heginnuig and progre.ss of the juesent 
trouhle between vs and the Indians; taking its Rise in the Collonie of 
X^ew Plymoulli. 

Anno Dom 1675. 

Not to looke backe further tlian the troubles that were between tlie 
Collonie of New Plymouth and Philip Sachem of mount hope In the 
yeer 1671 It may be Remembered that the settlement and Issue of that 
controversye obtained and made principally by the mediation and In- 
terposed advice and councell of the other two confederate Collonies. 
whoe vpon carefull Inquiry and sercli into the grounds of that trouble 
found that the said Sachems pretence of wrongs and Injuries, from that 
Collonie were Groundles and ffalce; and that hee (although first in 
Armes) was the Pecant and offending prty; And that Plymouth had 
Just cause to take vp arms against him; And it was then agreed tliat hee 
should pay that Collonie a certain sume of money, in prte of theire dam- 
age and charge by him occationed; and hee then not only renewed his 
ancient couenant of friendship with them; but made himself and his 
people absolute subjects to our Sovr: Lord King Charles the second; 
and to that his Collonie of New Plymouth since which time wee know 
not that the English of that or any other of the Collonies haue binn In- 
jurious to him or his. that might justly provoake them to take vp armes 
against vs; But some time the Last winter the Cour. of Plymouth was 
informed by Sassamon a faithful Indian that the said Philip was 
vndoubtedly Indeauoring to Raise new troubles; and was indeauoring to 
engage all the Sachems round about in a warr against vs some of the 
English alsoe that lived neare the said Sachem, communicated theire 
feares and Je.alousyes concurrant with what the Indian had Informed ; 
about a week after John Sassamon had given his Information hee was 
barbarously murdered by some Indians for his faithfulness (as we haue 
cause to beleiue) To the Interest of God and of the English; sometime 
after Sassamon's Death Phillip haueing lieard that tlie (Jour, of Ply- 
moutli had received some Information against him and purposed to send 
for or to him to api)eer att theire Next Court that they might Iii(|iiirc 



APPENDIX. 323 

into those Reports, came down of his own accord to Plymonth a little 
l)efore theire Court, in the beginning? of March last; att which time the 
Councell of that Collonie vpon a large debate with him; had great Rea- 
son tobeliue that the Information against him might be in substance 
true, but not haueing full prolfe thereof and hoping that the descoury 
of it so far would cause him to desist they dismissed him friendly; 
glueing him onley to vnderstand that if they heare further concerning 
that matter they might see reason to demand his Arnies to be deliuered 
vp for their securi tie; which was according to former agreement between 
him and them; and hee Ingaged on theire demand they should be sur- 
rendered vnto them or theire order; Att that Court we had many In- 
dians in examination concerning the Murder of John Sassonion but had 
not then testimony in the case, but not long after an Indian appeering 
to testify; we apprehended three by him charged to be the murderers 
of Sassomon; and cecured them to a triall att our next Court (holden in 
June) att which time a little before the Court Philip began to keep his 
men in Amies about him and to gather strangers vnto him and to march 
about in Armes towards the vper end of the IS^ecke on which hee lined 
and neare to the English houses; whoe began thereby to be somewhat 
disquieted, but tooke as yett no further Notice but onely to sett a mill- 
etary watch in the next Townes; as Swansea and Rehoboth some hints 
wee had that Indians were in Armes whiles our Court was siting but 
we hoped it might arise from a guilty feare in Philip; that we would 
send for him and bring him to tryall with the other Murderers; and that 
if hee saw the Court broken vp and he not sent for; the cloud might 
blow oner; and indeed our Innosensy made vs very secure and confident 
it would not haue broken out into a warr But noe sooner was our Court 
desolued but we had Intelligence from Leift. John Browne of Swansey 
that Philiii and his men continewed constantly in Armes, many Strang 
Indians from seuerall places flocked into him and that they sent away 
their wiues to Narragansett; and were giuing our people frequent alarms 
l»y drums and guns in the night and Invaded theire passage towards 
Plymouth; and that theire young Indians were earnest for a warr; on the 
7th of June Mr. Benjamine Church being on Rhod Island; Weetamo and 
some of her cheil¥e men told him that Phillip Intended a warr speedily 
with the English some of them saying they would healp him; and that 
hee had already giuen them leaue to kill English mens Cattle and Robb 
theire houses; about the l-ith and loth of June Mr. James Browne went 
twise to Philip to prswade him to be quiett but att both times found 
his men in armes and Phillip very high and not jivvsadable to peace; on 
the 14th June our Councell wrot an amicable friendly letter to Phillip; 
therein shewing our dislike of his practices; and adviseing him to di.s- 
mi.ss his strange Indians and command his own men to fall (juietly to 
tlu'ire business that our ])eople might alsoe be quiett; and not to suffei- 



324 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

liim.self to he abused by Reports eoueeniiiii;' vs, wiioe Intended liini no 
wronge; nor luirt towards him; but Mr. Browne couhl not obtain an an- 
sware from him; on the 17th of June Mr. Paine of Rehoboth and seurall 
otlier of the English going vnarmed to Mount hope to seeke tlieire horses 
att Phillips request; the Indians eanie and presented their guns att them 
and carried it very Insolently tho noe way prouoaked by them; on the 
18th or 19th Job Winslow his house was broken vp and Rifled by Philii)s 
men; June 2()th being the sabbath the people att Swansey were alarumed 
by the Indians two of our Inhabitants burnt out of their houses and 
their houses Rifled; and the Indians were marching vp as they Judged 
to assaillt the Towne; and therefore Intreated speedy healp from vs; 
Wee heervpon the 21 of June sent vp some forces to relieue that towne 
and despatched more with speed; on weddensday the 23 of June a dozen 
more of their houses att Swansey were Rifled; on the 24tli Thomas Lay- 
ton was slaine at the fall Riuer: on 25th of June diners of the people att 
Swansey slaine; and many houses burned; vntil which time, and for seu- 
erall dales tho wee had a considerable fforce there both of our owne and 
of the Massachusetts (To our (irieffe and shame) they took Noe lievenge 
of the enimie; thus slow were wee and vnwilling to engage ourselues 
and naighbouts in a warr: hauing many Insolencyes almost Intollerablc 
from them, of whose hands we had deserued better: 

The substance of what is lieer declared JOSIAH WINSLOW. 

doth clearly more prticularly appeer in THOMAS HINCKLEY, 

the Records and letters Related unto of 
the seuerall dates aboue mensioned; 

The present warr owned by the Commissioners att a meeting of the 
Commissioners of the united Colonies held att Boston Septem: iith, KiTo. 

Wee haueing received from the Commissioners of Plymouth a Nar- 
ratiue showing the rise and seuerall stepps of the proceedings of that 
Collonie as to the prsentwarr with the Indians; which had its begininge 
there; and its progresse into the Massachusetts; by their Insolynces 
outrages; murdering many persons and burning theire houses in sundry 
plantations in both Collonies; and haueing duly considered the same 
doe declare that the said warr doth a])peer to be both Just and Nesses- 
sarie; in its first Rise a defensiue warr: and therefore wee doe agree 
and conchule that it ought now to be Joyntly prosecuted by all the 
vnited Collonies; and the charges thereof to be bourne and payed as is 
agreed in the articles of Confederation. 

THOMAS DANFORTH, 
JOHN WINTIIROPK. WILLIAM STAUGHTON. 

JAMES RK;HAUI)S. JOSIAH WINSLOW, 

I'lIOMAS HINCKLEY. 



APTENDIX. 325 

Tho (Joiuinissioiicis of tlic (Jollonics liiiuoinj;- fully cuiicuncd in the 
Kii;Iiteoiisiicss of the ]iisoiit wiiir witli the Barbarous Natiues lor tho 
hotter Manaijonieiit thereof doc agree and conclude that there be forth-- 
with IJaised a Thousand souldicrs whereof 500 to be Draj^ooncs or 
troopers with Ionise Amies out of the seuerall Collonies in such propor- 
tion as the Articles of Confederation doc appoint: 

The Massachusetts, 'r21) 
Plymouth, - - - 158)1000 
Conecticot - - - -"Uo) 
[riy. Col. (Joni. lice. Vol. 11. p. .'JOli. | 



APPENDIX T. 

[I'aji.' 48.] 

I'his rcniarkablc letter was in these words : 

Tainiton. April 15. 'TO. 
linn. .red and Uelovcd; 

We liMvc received your attectionate letter full of Love and uudesiMved 
bouutie towards us. your unworthy Brethren and neighbors, and we bless 
(U>i\ that He hath uivcn us soe uuicli room in y(mr hearts, that you .soe 
freely lender us a part with you in your houses, helds and provisions, at 
such a tiuu' when the Lord is threatening us with bereavement of onr 

own. It niucli (• forletb us in this day of darkness and distresse: wc 

assuiiug ourselves thereby, that if onr distresses continne and increase, 
we sluill w;iut uoe succor you are able to afford us. We therefore return 
you ;dl serious thanks for your syncere and abundant Love, beseeching 
the Lord still to contimu' ;in(l increase your peace, and abilitie and readi- 
ness to relieve the distresses in this evil dayc. Xevei'theless, upon our 
serious ;iih1 mature tleliberatiou upon and consideration of your soe great 
offer, wc cannot at present comply with a motion to remove and ipiitt our 
places, and leave our habitations to be ii desolation, and that because we 
fear we should in soe doing be wanting to the nanu- of (iod and the inter- 
est of Christ in this place, and bewrayc much dittidence ;nul cowai'dicc, 
and give the M(l\'crs;iryc occasion of ti'inmi>b over us. to ye reproach of 
that great and fearful! nanu' of our (iod. that is called on us. Our sins 
are already such as might render oui- friends (did they know us) alfraid 
to entertain us: and what can we expect as the issue of such an additicm 
thereunto, but that the hand of the Loid would follow us, and lind us 
out whithersoever we tied. 



326 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

■' licsiik's. if tlic Lord li;i\c any pl^-asmt' in iis. ami will sue lair 
t'avdur and honour \is, wo .iud>;c we may Ikto be nioiL- st'ivict-aljlc to ye 
country tlian elsewlieri', and liazzards of removal (as <;reat as of abidin.u 
where we are) avoided ; and who can tell, but that the Li>rd may make 
way for our enjoyment of seed time and harvest liere, by prospering our 
forces which are coming forth, if we i^ould but luimble ourselves before 
Him? And if the Lord have no delight at all in us, but will tor our sins 
(which were but jnst) make His dwelling place here as Shiloli. wc aie in 
His hands. The Lord do with us as seemeth good in His sight. Heic 
wc have sinned, and here we submit ourselves to suffer, excc])t the Lord's 
Providence, and order or advice of Authorities should plainly determine 
us to removal!: in case whereof, we shall esteem it an nndeserved kind- 
ness to tind slu'ltci- among yonrselves, and comply with your motion for 
aught yet ai)pcars, nuire generally than with any course wc can jiioposc 
to ouisclves: Asa plc<lge whereof we are willing, if it may be jndgcfl 
convenient by you. to secure some of our cattle in your parts, that they 
may be no booty or succor to the enemy, if the Lord sjjare them so long 
as that we may have opportunity to convey them, in which we desirc 
your speedy advice. And beseeching you not to cease to pray for us that 
the Lord would lical our back.slidings, and prepare us for wliat measure 
of the cup of His indignation it may seem good to Ilim to order us to 
<lrink. wc present you with our respects, service, and love, and subscribe 
ourselves your obliged lu-ctlircn and friends and sci-vants in ye Lord. 

To Ibis we subscribe in the name of the Town. 

lUCHAlU) WILLIAMS. 
WALTEI! DE.VNL. 
GEORGE MAGV, 
WILL HAKVEV. 

(IlincUley I'ap^'i.^ V..1. IL No.:!.) 



APPENDIX U. 

[Page 4'...] 

As early as 1663 "It was proposed by the Court Niito the 
seuerall Townsliips of this jurisdiction as a ihiu^ that lhe\- ou-ht 
to take into their serious consideration that some course nia\- he 



APl'ENDIX. 327 

taken that in cuery townc there may bee a Schoolmaster sett vp 
to traine vp children to reading and writing." 

(XI riy. Col. Rec. p. 20.) 

Plymouth established the lirst free school, for the mainte- 
nance of which the profits of the Cape fishery were at first 
devoted (XI Ply. Col. Rec. p. 233 and 237); but in 1677 a General 
law was passed establishing a grammar school in the larger towns: 
a copy of which is here given. 

•• At tlie (ieiunal Court, licld ;it IMymoutli, tlie first of Noveiiihur, 



•• For;isimu-h as tlie luaiuteiuuR'c of good literature doth much tend 
to the advaneenient of the weal and flourishing state of societies and re- 
Itublics, this court dotli therefore order, that in whatever township in 
this government, consisting (.f fifty families or ujjwards, any meet man 
slinll be obtained to tcacli a grammar scIkx.I, such township shall allow 
an least twelve pounds, in current merchantable pay, to be raised by rate 
on all the inhabitants of such townsliip; and those that have the more 
immediate benefit thereof, by their children's going to school, with what 
others may voluntarily give to promote so good a work and general goo<l. 
sball make up the residue necessary to maintain the .same, and tliat the 
profits arising of the cape hshing, lierctofori' ordered to maintain a gram- 
mar scliool in this colony, be distributed to sucb towns as have grammar 
scliools. for the maintenance thereof, not exceeding five pounds per 
annum to itiiy such town, unless tlie court treasurer or other appointed 
to manage that affair, see good cause to add tliereunto, to any respective 
town, not exceeding five pounds more per ann. And further, this ccmrt 
orders, that every such town as consists of seventy families, or upwards, 
and liatli not a grammar scbool tju'rcin. sball allow and i>ay unto tbc 
lU'xt town, whicli liatb surb grammar sc]u)ol kept u]) among tlicm. tbc 
sum of five pounds per ann. in current merchantable pay, to be levied on 
till' inhabitants of such towns by rati', and gathered and delivered by the 
constables of such towns, as by warrant from any magistrate of this ju- 
risdiction shall be leiiuired. (.Mass. Hist. Coll. 2(1 Series. Vol. 4. p. S:;. 
\1 Ply. Col. IJec. p. L'47.) 

ill .March. 1(1S2. tlic Court divided tiic cape lisliery money as foll(»ws: 
••to IJarnstalile sco(dc. twduc ixuiiid: to Duxburrow scoole. ciglit pound: 
to Itebobotii scoole. tiuc pound: to 'i'auiiton scoole. three ].ouiid: and 
twoi.ound to .Mr. Daniel Suiitli.-- (VI Ply. Col. b'cc. p. lOi'.) 



328 OUAKTEK MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

APPENDIX V. 

Lraji-e 50.] 

The Commission of Gov. Andres from King James II, dated 
June 3, i686, may be found in Mass. Hist. Coll. ;^d Series, ^'ol. 
7, p. 139. The tax which produced such excitement in the Colon- 
ies was levied the next January as appears in the following order; 

.Inmuiry the 4tli IC.Sd. 

Ordered: Tliat a single Country Hate of one penny in tlie jxiund Lc 
levyi'd c^- eoUeeted in all the late Colonyes and Provinees towards defray- 
ing tlie publiek charge of tliis his ^lajtes Covernnient. 
January tlie I2t1i KiSC. 

"Ordered: That the Secretary send the order of Comicill of tlic 4tli 
instant to the Treasurer for Collecting the Hate to his Maj''''. and tliat tlic 
Treasurer issue out his AVarrants f(n- collecting the same accoidingly. "' 

The treasurer at that time was Mr. John Csher. 

The letter of Mr. Wilbore to Mr. Usher, referred to in the 
address has not been found, but it produced the following order 
from Gov. Andros and his Council. 

••Shadracli Wilhore Clerke of the Towne of Taunton I)eing by the .Mes- 
senger brought before tliis Board and Examined about a scandalous fac- 
tious and seditions writeing sent from the said Towne to tlic Treasurer 
in answer U> his Warrt for the puhliiiue Hate signed Ity him as Clcikc he 
owned the same and declared it to be the Act of the Towne. 

Ordered That the said Shadracli Will).. re be bound over to Miiswcr 
for the sniiie att the next superior Court to be lioldeii att iiristoll. 

And that in regnanl .histice Tho. Leonard was i)resent att the '{'owuc 
meeting when the said writeing was voted and did not hinder tlic same, 
that lie be suspended from the said Ofhi-c. 

.\nd that the Constables of the said Towne be lilcewise biuiii.l over to 
answer att the said Court for neglect of their dutycs in not obeying the 
Treasurers warrant. 

And that the Constables and Select .Men of the said Towiic doc forlii 
with cause the said warrant to be fully executed. (Meeting held Wcdncs- 
da\- Auuusl ;;ist HisT. "") 

(State .\ivh. \'ol. l-.'T. ].. -V.i. Council Hcc.rds N'ol. i'. j.. 1:;t.) 

This order was followed on the same day by a warrant i{>v 
Wilhore's arrest, as follows : 



APPENDIX. 329 

'I'o yv SlRTiiir of yc- ("oniity of Suff(.lk. 

Whereas Sluulracli Wilboic, Towiie Clcike of Taunton, liatli lately in ye 
name & with ye Consent of ye sd 'J'owne Wrote & i)ul)lishe(l a certain 
Seandaloiis faetious & Seditious \vriteiu<;, Therein veiy much lietlcctin.u- 
ui)on and Contamneini; the Laws Autliority it (rovennit of this his Mats'y 
territory & Dominion of New En;nland the such writeino- upon his ^Exam- 
ination before his Excellency in Councill lie hath ( "onfessed it Owned : 
tlu'se are therefore in his Mats\v Nauu' to Hetiuirecfe Comniaud yo to take 
into your Custody ye body of ye said Shadrach Wilbore ct him safely keep 
in his Mats'y (loals untill he shall have answered for ye sd Contempt it 
.MisDi'ineanor, & be from thence Delivered by due Course of his Mats'y 
Laws. Whereof fail not ct for soe (loiu<;- tliis sliall be your Warrant 
Dated in Boston ye :!()th day of Au.oust KiST. 

By Ordei- in Councill. 
(Mass. Tlist. Coll. :;d Series. Vol. 7. p. I!»().) 

Mr. Wilbore, after having been awhile in jail al IJristol, Ihc 
then shire town, wrote thi.s letter and petition to the Gcn'ernor : 

"The humble petition of Sliadrath Wilbore, of Taunton, Town 
( Jlarke, To his Excellency, Sir Edmond Andrews, Knight Governor-in- 
(jhief of his Majesty's Territory and dominion in New England. 

" Humbly sheweth that whereas your petitioner (but as a servant) 
ilid in the name, and with the consent of the Town of Taunton (as 
Towne Clarke) as by virtue of his office judged himself obliged to do, 
did write a letter to John Usher, Esq., the contents of said letter or 
writing proving very offensive to authority for which your petitioner is 
very soriy that he should give any cause of offence to any, either by 
writing or any other way, for it was not in any way intended by your 
petitioner either to offend your Excellency or the government his Maj- 
esty hath set over us, and therefore wherein your petitioner hath offend- 
ed any person he craveth their pardon, entreating your Excellency to 
impute the offensivciu'ss of said writing to the ignorance, weakness and 
unskilfulness of your poor petitioner as to law matters, entreating your 
Excellency to grant your poor petitioner a gracious pardon as to hon- 
ourable Court's sentence against him here at Bristol and remit it, or 
what of it your Excellency shall think fit, beseeching your Excellency 
to consider what your poor petitioner hath suffered both at Boston and 
also here at Bristol,— at Boston his imprisonment there and charges for 
a release out of prison, and here at Bristol, it being five weeks? since he 
was first committed to prison, entreating your Excellency to consider 
the inability of your poor petitioner and the time of the year (it being- 
very cold for a i)oor pri.soner) and alsoe his low estate and a great family 
of children (not needful to say the Town of Taunton hath already an- 
swered the matter then in question) and for the future your petitioner 



?i5^ OUAKTliR MILLENNIAL CELEBKATION. 

hopes lie shall i)L' mure caiL'l'iil what liu writes. ISu craviii}; your iianluii 
tor giviiiff your Excolleiay the trouble of reading these lines, hoi)inj; lor 
your Exeellency's uraeious Answer shall rest your humble petitioner. 

.SHADKACII VVlI.BOIiK. 

'* Bristol the J4th of November, 1()87. 
Itttate Arch. Areh. Vol. 127. p. 2.%.] 

In 1689, the town voted to reniuuerale Mr. \\'il]x)rc in ihese 
words : 

••'i'liis2l (lay of .Noveiiihcr. ICS'.t. It was voted and .urauted t.. Shad- 
racli Wilbore, the town Clerk, one hundred aeres of land joininj;- to his 
land atBareneed. or soniewhcri' thcicabout. in consideration of his ini- 
l)risonnient and sufferin.u. he paying what money is due at that accounL 
which is to say the live and forty siiillin.us which we borrowed of Wiliam 
AVillx.ic of Kliode island. •■ 



APPENDIX W. 

(r:ise5L) 



Province Laws. 1T')1M;(I. (Ii. :!»;.— An act for raisin- a sum of moiic\ 
by lottery, for removinj;- the rocks and shoals in 'raunton (ircat liivcr. 
and thereby to render the naviiiation in said livcr more easy an<l lcs> 
hazarilons. 

VVhei-eas the navi-;atioii in Tanntnu (ircat bivcr. Iictwccu (the) Ware 
i;rid--e and Hoeky Point, is much obstructed and strai-ht.'ned by reason 
of divers rocks and shoals in said river, and vessels are often sunk l>y 
i-unninjn' (Ml the rocks between tiie said briduc and b'ocky Pniid.totlic 
j>reat prejudice not (udy of trade in -vncial. but to tliose particular jxt- 
sons who have occasion to transport their Inmbei- and other commodities 
u]) and down said river for a market: to the end. therefore, that those 
olistructions may l)e iiunoved, and the navii;ation in saiil river rendered 
nnn-e easy and less hazardous.— 

Be it enacted by the (Jovernoui'. Council and House of Kcprcscuta- 
tives. 

(Se.'L L) That .ianu's Williams. Ks.,(r). ('apt. (icor^c Willams. Mr. b'ob- 
ert Luscomb and .Mr. .lohu Adams, all of Tauntou. and .Mr. Slcidu^u 
P.iu-t of P.erkley. or any thicc of them. !.,• and hereby arc impowcred to 

whole to such a sum as. by drawin- or deductin- ten perceid out of tlic 



APPENDIX. 331 

s;mi(\ luiiy raise three liundred iiiid lilty iioiiiids, and no more: and tliat 
the said snm of tluee linndieil and lifty pounds, raised by the doduetion 
aforesaid. l)e. by the persons above named, jiaid fo Mes.sieurs James 
Walkei'. Israel Tisihde and Steplien Maeond)er, a eommittce appointed 
for the purposes in this art mentioned, witliin ten (hiys after the sale of 
the tickets of said lottery shall be eompleated, taking their receipt for 
the same; or. if the persons tivst above named shall think fit to raise said 
sum of thiee hundred and fifty pounds by more lotteries than one. tlieu 
the money raised by each lottery, by the deduction aforesai<l, sliall. 
within ten day.s after the tickets of each lottery, respectively, are sold, be 
l>aid by them to the committee aforesaid, or the major part of them. 
[Tlie other sections of the act are omitted.] 

A copy of the tickets issued is here given : 



^S^ Taiinto/i Lottery, X" one jah' 1760 ^ 

Hg^ ^pHIS Ticket [ No. HOO ] intitlcs the ^ 
^^ jtte Poffeffor to any Prize drawn againft t'aid ^ 

^§5 Number, in a LOTTERY granted by an Act ^ 
•^mU- of the General Court of the Province of the JA{/- ^. 
^S:^ M/iu/ats-Iiav, Apn! 1760, for removing the ^ 
^gf^ Rocks and Shoals in Taiuitou (;reat River, and ^ 
^^|j! to make the Navigation more eafy and lefs ha- ^ 
^^^^,|^' zardous, fubject to no Deduction. E ^ 



6:11^2^0^^^ 






APPENDIX X. 

[Page 52.1 

In March 1707 many inhabitants of the northerly jjarl of 
Taunton, sent a petition to the town to bound them out a •'pre- 
cinck," as follows . 



332 OUAKTKK MII.LI'-.NNIAI, CELEBRATION. 

•'We whoso iianiL's iiri- inulerwiitU'ii. Iteiiig part of tlu; liiliabitaiils 
of Taunton Old Town, and i)ait of Tannton north purchase, l)cin<> all 
very sensible of the <;reat difficulty that we are under in livinj; so re- 
mote from the publick worship of God. and S'eat need of liaveinj^' it set- 
lied amonj^st us, that so our children and those under our care & charj^e, 
as well as ourselves, may enjoy the meens of grace, and in order theirto, 
we have this 27th day of novem., 1707, met tof^ether, and made choice of 
(Jeors'e Leonard and Nicholas White, whom we chuse as our agents to 
act in our behalf in makeing Request to the town to bound us out a pre- 
sink for the maintenance of a minister: and that, when we have pro- 
cured a minister to dispence the word of God amongst (us) we might be 
freed from paying to the minister ct ychoolmaster at town, and wc do 
also give our sd. agents full power to do any further act or acts, thing or 
things, that they shall see needfull to be dun for ye bounding of sd. pre- 
cink, and procureing an able orthodox minister to be orderly .Settled 
amongst us, whether it be by petitioning to the General court to Settle 
the bounds of sd. preeinck, or by any other way or meens whatsoever; as 
witness our hands the day and year above written, we further promise, 
that in case a minister be procured as abovesd., that we will each of us 
pay our proportion by way of rate for his maintenance, witness our 
hands, George Leonard, Nicholas White, Thomas Braman, sen., Thomas 
Stevens, Selvanis Gamble, John Hodges, Natlianiell Hodges, Samuel! 
Hodges, Jabez Pratt, Thomas Hraman, jun.. William Hodges, IJobert 
Tucker. Ephraim Grover, Matthew White, Setii Dornian. p:benezer Hall. 
John Caswell, jun., Benjamin Caswell. John Wethercll, Ebcne'/er Edy. 
Samuel Hrintness, John Caswell, sen., Eliezer Edy, John Cob, Andrew 
(J rover, Peter Aldrich, Israel Fisher, Thomas Grover, Nathaniel Fisher, 
Josepli Briggs, IJenjamin Williams, Nathaniel Harvey. John Briggs. 
jun., Nicholas Smith, John Newland, William Cob, Benjamin Ncwland. 
J(din Lane, John Briggs, John Skinner." 

IStatc Papers, Vol. CXIII, p. 512.] 

(leor^c Leonard and Nicholas While were apjxiintcd a (dm 
niillcc to present their recjuest to the town, to whom on Marcli _'_'. 
1708, afterward, Mr. John Wethercll was adtlcd by a poition of the 
subscribers, the si<;nihcaiice of which soon appears. 

'I'he very next day the committee drew up and sent this peti- 
tion to the town : 

••March ye •_':;rd. ITdS. — Whereas divers lidiabitants of Taunt.. 11 iiortli 
iuircha.se, together with divers of the Inhabitants of Taunton old tdwn- 
ship, bordering on the north i)urt'hast', made choice of we, the subscrib- 
ers, wliome they chose as tliare .\gents to make rccpu'sl to the town to 
bound us out a i.rccinct for tiie maintenance of a minislcr; we whosi 



APPENDIX. 333 

names are undeiwiitten, (U) therefore, in the hehalf of our friends and 
neijO'hbonis, liunibly and earnestly desire the town seriously to consider 
of the vary difficult circumstances that we are under in liveing so i-emote 
from the publicqne worship of God. that great part of the year we can- 
not come to meeting; and that we can at no time of the year, without 
very great difficulty bring allmost any of our children to meeting; so that, 
if we continue long after this manner, the sowls of our children, and those 
under our care and charge, will be in danger of perishing for lack of 
knowledge, for it is Evident from scripture that faith comes by heering, 
and heering by the word preacht. Tho we are not insencable of oni' 
poverty, and great difficulty that we shall thereby meet with in carrying- 
on such a desire, yet, on the other hand, we have caus to be thankfnll 
that our neighbours are generally very forward to promote so good a 
work; and our poverty can be no Argument to have our precinck lesened 
but rather Enlarged, wharefore we Earnestly desire and hope that the 
town will forward and incorageso good a design, and grant that the mili- 
tary line may be the bounds of the precinct, which is hurt's brook, and 
from the mouth of sd. brook to the bridge neer william wetherell, and 
from sd. bridge north Easterly to the north-purchase line; that so we 
may not have one line for the military, and another foi- the minister, 
and. in hopes you will grant us this our re(|uest, we subscribe ourselves 
your humble petitioners, 

GEORGE LEONARD. 
JOHN WETHERELL, 
NICHOLAS WHITE," 
IState Papers, Vol. CXIH, p. 513. | 

The town not inclining to grant the request. 

•'June 18, nos. — At a meeting of some of the subscribers, they gave 
thare agents Ijibeity to pertition to the (Jenl. court for a township." 

Accordingly on the 20 Oct., 1708, two of the Committee pre- 
sented this petition to Gov. Dudley : 

'•To his Excellency Joseph Dudley, Esquire, Capt. -General! and 
(iovernor-in-chief in and over her majestie's province of the Massachu- 
setts bay in New England; And to the Honored councill and Representa- 
tives nowr convened in Generall Court this 20 day of Octobei'. 1708. 

"The humble petition of Diverse of the Inhabitants of Taunton 
North purchase, humbly sheweth that sd. Inhabitants being very sensi- 
ble of the great difficrdty they are now under in living so remote from 
the publick worship of God, and the great need of having it settled 
anunigst them, that so their children, and those under their care and 
charge, as well as themselves, may Injoy the meens of (Jrace, They 



334 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

make choice of ns the subscribers, to be their aojents, to make known 
tlieir desire to tlie town of Taunton to have a precinct bounded out to 
them for their maintenance of a minister to dispence the word of God 
ainonf]t them; and also to petition the dlenerall Court to settle the bounds 
of sd. precinct: and also to procure an able orthodox minister to be order- 
ly settled amonfj them, as they appear by a writeing under their hands, 
dated November the 27th, 1707, and also on the 28d of march, 1708; by 
which writing they also promise tf) pay their proportion by way of rate 
for the maintenance of said minister provided as abovesd. In persue- 
ance of sd. power and trust commited to us, we have communicated this 
matter to the town of Taunton, at a town meeting: and although we 
have great Incoragement that the most considerable Leading men will be 
and arc for it, yet there is some few that do hesitate about the bounds 
'i'hat we desire for sd. precinct: so that hetherto nothing of that nature 
is finished, and seeing our young ones increase and grow up apace, and 
that the Lord hath in marcy (as we hope it is in marcy) so inclined the 
hearts of our neighbors to earnestly to desire and seek after this thing, 
we therefore, the subscribers as agents for and in the behalf of sd. In- 
habitants, do humbly pray this (ienerall Court to grant this our humble 
])('tition, and the bounds of .said precinct which we desire is, the line or 
liounds of the military company called the North purchase company 
may be the bounds of the said precinct, which is a brook called hurt's 
brook, and from the mouth of said brook to wennaconnit bridge, and 
from sd. bridge north-easterd to the North-purchase line, but leaveing 
out of sd. precinct all the Inhabitants in the North purchase that com- 
monly go to Bridgewater meeting, who live on the Estardly side of the 
rhode that Leeadeth from winnacunuit to the bay,— for they in time 
hope to be a precinct with part of Bridgewater, which we shall not op- 
pose—but taking into sd. precinct all belonging to Taunton old Town- 
ship within the bounds above mentioned, but if all the North purchase 
ware Enexed to Taunton for the present, we think it woald be best for 
the manageing of public concerns; only that the lands within the bounds 
settled and agreed on between the propriators of Taunton North jiur- 
chase and thair neighbors, on all parts, be confirmed to said proprie- 
tors, and the abovesaid precinct settled for the maintenance of the min- 
istry in said iirecinct, and we farther pray that tliis honored court would 
also appoint ;i tomraittee to order where the meeting-house should be 
sett, all which, it tliis honored court please to grant, your humble peti- 
tioners shall, as in duty they are bound, ever pray. 

GEORGE LEON.\i;i), / Agents for and in tJiebe- 
XICIIOLAS WHITE, \ half of said Inhabitants. 

IState I'apers. Vol. CXI II. p. .-.10. | 

( )n iliis pctiliDii the (leiuTal Court made this order: 



APPENDIX. 335 

"■22 0oto.. 17(»s— Read in OouikViI: and Onlerod, tliat the Seleotmon 
of Tannton be served with a copy of this Peton.. and heard tliereupon 
before tliis (Jourt upon the second Tuesday of the next Session of ye sd. 
Court, if anything they have to say wliy tlie pinyer of tlie within Peti- 
tion shouhl not be granted." 

ISA. ADDINUTON, Secry. 

[General-Court Ttecords. Vol. VflT. p. oill.| 

The .service of this petitif)n on the town led to a town meet- 
insi; as follows : 

Taunton, Feb. ye first day, ITOS-ii. — Whereas ye selectmen of our 
town was served with a ooppy of ye North purchas and South i)urchas 
petitions, and they caused ye town to meet together tiiis day, nnd Head 
thayr petitions in ye town-meating, when matters was fairly debated; 
and there being many men of many minds, so that nothing was con- 
cluded on, only some persons would have ye selectmen to take thayr 
time, and write ye Court an answer. 

So tlic assembly ware dismissed. 

"JOHN WILBORE, Town Clerk." 
This inaction naturally called for another meeting, thus stated: 

•• At a Legall Town-meeting, warned and held at Taunton publick 
meeting-house, the 22 day of February, 1708-9, It was voted that the 
town doth Impower the present selectmen to make return to the (ien- 
erall Court in answer to the petitions of the north and south purchasers. 

"A true coppy transcribed by me, 

"JOHN WILBORE, Town Clerk." 

(State Papers, Vol. XI, p. 2!)7-8.) 

The Selectmen thereupon, in behalf of the town sent in this 
remonstrance : 

"To his Excellency Joseph Dudley, Esifuire, Captain-Generall, (iov- 
ernor-in-chief in and over her majestie's Provence of the Massachusetts 
bay, and the rest of the honorable Councill and Representatives Con- 
vened in General Court. May the 25, 17()i), humbly Sheweth:— 

" That whereas the Honoured Court sent to the Selectmen of Tann- 
ton to show their reasons (if any they have) why Taunton Noith pur- 
chase and South Purchase should not have their prayer granted,— 

" In answer whereunto. we say. that although it hath pleased God 
to Increase our nunibers,-which, we hope, is in mercy,-yet must say, 
tiiat, through the providence of God, a great many are so extream pooi', 
and rates and taxes so high, that we find it hard and ditticult to rub 



33^) QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

along: and tlie (iencrality of the Xortli purcliase are so poor, that we 
llfear they will not be able to build a meeting-house and to maintain a 
minister. " [This relates to tlie South purchase, for which see liereafter.] 

•• But as for the North Purcliase, we think it better ffoi' them to be 
a Township than a preeiuct. 

"This is our last and finall answer, uppon mature concideration. 

ISRAEL TITRASIIER. ) 

) 
JOHN SPUR, ) Selectmen 

) 
EZRA DEAN. ) 

"VVewliose names are underwritten are of the same mind with 
tliose above.— " Thomas Leonard, Henry Hodges, Samuel Deane, Seth 
Williams, Josejdi Williams. •" [State Papers, Vol. CXIII, p. r)14.] 

The Committee foi- the petitioners were not backward lo 
strengthen their original petition l;)y anotiier in these words: 

"To his Excellency, Joseph Dudley, Esquire. &v., 2.". day of May. 
ITO'.t. 

" Whereas we, tlie subsci-ibers, ageints for and in the belialft' of 
divers of the Inhabitants of 'I'auntou north purchase, and divers of the 
inhabitants of Taunton old Township, belonging to the north purchase 
millatary company, have petitioned this Honoured Court to bound said 
Inhabitants a precinct for the maintenance of a minister; and in said 
petition, we have not informed the Honoured Court how far said inhab- 
itants dwell from Taunton meeting-house; these are tharefore, to In- 
form this Honoured Court, that Benjamin Newland, Elezer Edy, and 
Ebenezer Edy. who dwell the nearest to Taunton meeting house of any 
of sd. Inhabitants, dwell at least five miles and a half from Taunton 
meeting-house, as neer as can be computed; and william wetherell, Sen., 
John wetherell, Elezer Fisher, Israle ffisher, Nathaniel fisher, dwell 
about six miles from sd. meeting-house; and John Austin. John Briggs. 
junior, william Cob, Nicholas Smith, Jolin Newland, Tliomas Stevens, 
John Hodges, and Richard Briggs, dwell about seven miles from sil. 
meeting-house; as also Thomas Braman, Robert Tucker, and Nathaniel 
Hodges and Samuel Hodges. Selvanis Cand.ell, William hodges, (ieorge 
Leonard, John Briggs. and Joseph Briggs, Dwell about eight miles from 
sd. meeting-bouse: and John Lane and .lohn Cob dwell near !• mile from 
sd. nuH'tiug-liouse: and ]iettci- Aldrich. nicholas white, matliew white. 
Seth Donuau. .lulni Hall, -lolm CaswcH. Benjamin Caswell, and Joseph 
Kiiiol. dwell al.niit ten miles fn nn sd. uieef ing-liouse. Benjanun williams 
dwcllctli al.out Kicvcii niilcanda iialf from sd. incrting-house. .Vll these 



APPENDIX. 337 

:il)()venainc'(l <;•(» to Taunton meeting: but Isaae Shepherd, Tlionias (4ro- 
ver, Andrew Grover, Ephriani Grover, Ephraim .ShehUin, Joliu Skinner. 
Samuel Brintnell, dwell farther from Taunton meetino-house than these 
abovenamed, (so) that they commonly go to wrenthani meeting; and they 
dwell six, seven and eight miles from wrenthani meeting. This account 
is as neer as can be computed without mesuring; as witness our liauds. 

GEORGE LEONARD.' 
XK'HOLAS WHITE. 

[State Papers. Vol. CXIII. p. .-)!.-).] 

The controversy gro\vs \varmer, and the town proceeds to 
additional opposition, thus : 

•' .lunetlie first, 1709. — At a Legall Town meeting, warned and held 
at Taunton publick meeting-house, 

•• 2. It was put to vote, whether the Town would chuse a committee 
of live men to give Reasons, in behalf of the Town, to the General Gourt, 
wliy the petition of the Xorth and South purchases should not be granted. 

";'). It was voted that the town shall chuse five men to make Return 
to the (xenerall Court, and give their reasons why the prayers of the 
Xortli and South purchasers should not be granted; and the persons then 
cliosen for the committee were Lieut. James Leonard, Thomas Harvey, 
Ensign Phillip King, Ensign Thomas Gilbert, and Jonathan Padleford. " 

[State Papers, Vol. XI. p. 299.] 

This Committee promptly acted by sending in this petition : 

"To his Excly. Joseph Dudley, Esquire, &c. 

"Whereas George Leonard and Nicht)]as White, as they call them- 
selves, agents for and in the behalf of divers of the Inhabitants of Taun- 
ton Xorth purchase, and divers of the Inhabitants of Taunton old Town- 
ship, preferred a petition to this honored. Court on ye 20th day of OcW 
her, 1708, for the settling a precinct according to certain bounds sett 
forth in sd. petition; and in Reading sd. petition, in Octo. 22, 1708, this 
great and Generall Court ordered That the selectmen of Taunton be 
served with a copjjy of sd. petition, and to be heard thereu])on, &c., upon 
ye second Txiesday of the next Session of this Court. If any thing they 
have to say why the prayer of the petitioners should not be granted; and 
that the matter may stand In a triie Light, we the subscribers, a commit- 
tee chosen in Taunton, would humbly offer to this honrd. Court, that, 
wlien the tract of land was bought (called the North purchase) by the 
Inhabitants of Taunton, It was designed for a Township by it Self, and 
not any ways to Damnific the old townsliip by taking any of the Inhabi- 
tants thereof tlien settled, or to be settled to make the purcliase a Town- 
sliip (H- precinct; for, If tliat may be. our forefatliers and sonu' of us 
hiyed out our own inonev miserablv to our own w rong, and to tlic w rong- 



33^ QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

iutj- of our i)(«)r old town. ;iii(l tlie i)etitioiU'is well knew iill tlic sircuiii- 
staiu'es befoiv tlit-y settled, and their imi)iMident settlini'- sd. iiditli pur- 
i-hase procures tliese ditiicnlties: for. liad tliey settled in or about the 
middle of sd. i)urchase. the people that ai-e now there would have heeu 
eapahle of liein.n a 't'ownshi]). and so to maintain A minister without 
hreakin<;' or haiinin.n the old town, and whereas it is Insinuated in sd. 
petition, that, when they had eonimunieated to the town. They liad In- 
eoridyinent that the most considerable I.eadin<i men would be for it. and 
as If there were but some few that did hessitate about theboiuuls: whicli 
must needs be some great mistake, (u- something else: for the town bi'ing 
warned to<iether by the selectmen, uixm their beinji' served with a coi)i)y 
of their i)etition. to consider that matter (and the south i)urchase jieti- 
tion) there was such a contention and tumult betwixt the town. — that is. 
the whole body almost of the town and leading nu'ii ;ind i>ctitioneis.— 
that the meeting was dismissed, and nothin.u (hme but confusion, and 
now we eome to some few objectitms against gianting the i)rayer of sd. 
petition (we humbly hojje and fear will doo) upon a due consideration. 
First, as has been hinted, it is very griveous to anil contrary to the minds 
of tiie l)ody of the jteople of the old township,— Kxcepting some few that 
are Related and some ways Interested, as things plainly appear to us. — 
and, If granted, we very much fear will unsettell us in our present settled 
state. lily, we know no part of the old-township Inhabitants but aw 
Equally concerned and obliged to pay to the Reverend Mr. Saml. Dan- 
fortli, our settled minister. Though some, may pretend that it is butt an 
Inconsiderable thing that is desired, we must say it is a great thing: for 
our charges are almost Intolerable already, and growing Every day. and 
the line the petitioners speak of would Incompass almost all our mead- 
ows, for they lye chiefly in that part of the town; and will separate some 
new houses from their lands, which must needs be a great confusion. 
3dly, Sundry of our neighbours of the old Township, which will be In- 
composed within sd. line. If Granted, — considerable men, — have been 
with our selectmen, and manifested their great unwillingness to be 
joyned with the north purchase as a precinct, and offered to us sundry 
l)apers signifying that they had been persuaded and imposed upon by 
some of ye north purchase to joyn with them to petition for a precinct, 
but they wholly refused; but upon .some other considerations, did sign 
some of these papers and .so when they had got their hands and by these 
tricks the poor subscribers are quite contrary to their minds and Intents. 
Improve them, as it were deceiptfnlly, to make them part of the intend- 
ed precinct; which actions cannot be consistent with the truth and their 
good promises, but must needs be Displeasing to almighty (iod. the 
selectmen not agreeing to make answer to this honrd. Court, the se- 
lectmen warned a town meeting, June 1st, 170!): and the Town and peti- 
tioners niett together: and the town chose a comnutc. which aie the 



APPENDIX. 339 

subscribers, to act and make answei's to this homd. Coiut now, for 
which reasons we have hiyed down, and what may be farther offered, we 
do desire and humbly hope that this honerd. Court will so far in their 
wisdom considei- the matter as not to grant the precinct Desired, Least 
it should be the beginning of trouble with us. we would farther offer 
this honrd. Court, as the mind of the whole town, that they are very 
willing and Desirous that the north purchase should have all previleges 
proper and needfuU for them both civil and Ecliasticall; and, therefore, 
have not the least to say against their being a township of themselves, 
according as was intended from ye foundation of it (as above was hinted) 
and not any way to Joyn to, or Entermeddle with, the old township, or 
with that sd. purchase, craving ])ardon for our boldness and a charitable 
construction of what we have writ, we pray the allmighty God to Direct 
you in all the affairs before you, and subscribe your honer's most humble 
servants. 

Dated Taunton, June 4th, 1709. 

"JAMS. LEONARD. ) 

) 

PHILLIP KING, ) 

) 
THOMAS GILBERT, ) Commity." 

) 
THOMAS HARVEY, ) 

) 
JONATHAN PADELFOHD, ) 

I State Papers, Vol. CXIII, p. 509.] 

Some of the inhabitants of the North purchase evidently pre- 
ferred a new town to a precinct and thus expressed their views : 

" To his Excellency Joseph Dudley, Escp., &c. 

•'We whose names are underwritten, being inhabitants of ye town of 
Taunton, humbly sheweth, that wee being very sensible of -ye great 
daingur we are in of being Impoverished and brought to great distress 
for yt, to witt, Som of our neighbovrs, Inhabitants of sd. Taunton, and 
som of ye west part of Taunton North purchase, being often very im- 
portant with us to agine with them to pertetion ye General Court to 
grant them a precinct; but we knowing ye inability of ourselves and our 
neighbours, could not comply with them but they, after pleading there 
want of a precincts to be granted to them, and their inability to main- 
tain ye same without our help, we. willing to doe them a cinilness, did, 
som of us, signified to yni, yt if they would ]tetition ye General (/'ourt to 



340 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

j^rant a tovvnsliip to tlie whole north purchase, and so much of Taunton 
as was agined to them in ye military, that we would agine with them, 
som of us whose names are underwritten, and ye rest of us, did wholly 
refuse to sett our hands to any writing Either for a township or precints 
neither; But they, having pertitioned ye honored Court for to grant them 
a precincts, contrary to our minds and intent, and hath set forth ye 
limets of .sd. precincts to make us a part thereof, which will be no ben- 
efit to us, but so great a charg yt will soon bring us to poverty; for we 
are not able to pay our parts to a precincts charg, and to pay ratts to ye 
town also. And as ye petitioners do preten to ye want of a minister to 
dispence ye word of God to them, we say we are in no such want; for we 
have ye benefit of hearing ye word preacht by ye Rcverant Mr. Danforth, 
under whose ministry we desire to continue. Therefore we pray ye hon- 
ored Cort to consider our condition, yt we may not be consarned with 
our precincts, but yt we may injoy our privilidges as formerlly. And 
whereas som of us (namely John wetherell, John Nulan, Benjamin 
Nulan, Nicholas Smith, John Briggs, junior) did sett our hands to soms 
of there papers, but we understood ourselves only conserned with them 
for <a township; but we understand they have made a wrong improve- 
ment of our names; we did not think they wold have taken such ad- 
vantage as to improve our names as petitioners with them for a pre- 
cincts. But our comfort is yt ye honored Cort will not suffer us to wrong 
one another, we subscribe ourselves your most humble petitioners. 

William Wetherell, sen., John Briggs, junr., 

John Austin, John Nulan, 

Edward Whit, Ben. Nulan, 

Jeremiah Wetherell, Nicholas Smith. 

Jeremiah Newland, William Cob. 
John Wethell, 

[State Papers, Vol. CXIII, p. oil.] 

The General Court with all these petitions and counter peti- 
tions, apparently took this action as the next step : 

"Junes, 1709. In Council.— Upon the hearing of the several i)eti- 
tions of the inhabitants of the No. and So. Purchases, in Taunton, to be 
made separate Precincts for the settling aiul support of the ministiy in 
the respective places, — 

" Resolved, that Nathaniel Thomas, Nathaniel Byfield, and Janus 
Warren Esqrs., be a committee to repair to Taunton, and view the said sev- 
eral purchases, and upon consideration of all circumstnnces, to set off 
proper Precincts to encourage the good P^nds desired by the petitioiuMS. 
and to advise and direct to the most suitable i)laces for the raising of 
their meetinghouses, and to make theii' icport to the next session of 



yVri'ENDIX. 341 

tliis Court tor conformation, Nathaniel Thoniass Es(jr., to appoint the 
Tiniu. The charges of the said Committee to be borne by the said Pre- 
cincts." 

[Gen. Court. Rec. Vol, VIIl, p. 441. j 

The Legislative Committee soon visited Taunton, to perform 
tiieir duty and made a report as follows : 

"Taunton Auj;t. ol, 17U'J. 

•• Pursuant to an order of the Great and General Court dated June 
ye 8th, 1709, to us Directed to Hepaire to Taunton and view the several 
tracts of land which the Inhabitants of the North and South purchases 
in Taunton have petitioned to be made separate precincts, for the settlin<;- 
and support of the ministry in said Respective places; — 

And we the subscribers, having viewed the several tracts, and heard 
tiic allegations of the opposite Parties thereto, upon consideration of all 
circumstances, have sett the bounds of the several Precincts as follows: 
That is to say, That the Bounds of the North Precinct (according to 
their petition) shall begin at the line between the two late Colonies of 
the Massacluisetts and Plymouth, in the line of the bounds between 
Taunton North Puichase and Attleboro' and from thence southward to 
Kchoboth North-east corner: and from thence eastward, on the said 
North Purchase line, to Taunton Bounds: and from thence eastward to 
llie mouth of the Brook called Burt's Brook, Leaving out Capt. Hodge's 
Laud at Burt's Brook, and extending from the mouth of Burt's Brook 
to the Bridge made over the mill River, near William Wetherell's; and 
from thence North-eastward to the North-Purchase Line; and from the 
North-Purchase line, the road that leads from said Bridge towards Bos- 
ton to be the bounds till it come to the Line between the said late Col- 
onies; well line to be the Bounds to Attleborough Bounds aforesaid. 

And that the meeting-house for the said North Precinct be sett on 
tlie Northward side of the way that leads over Rumford river at Cross- 
man's way, at the place where the way crosseth it that leads from .lolin 
Hodge's to the Beech Island. 

In testimony whereof, we have hereunto set our hands. 

NATHANIEL THOMAS, 
NATHANIEL BYFIELD. 
.TAMES WARREN. 
iState Papers, Vol. XI, ]). L".l(i. | 

Tills report, in favor of a precinct, merely stirred uj) those who 
desired a new town to make one more effort for the latter ; and 
they .i^ain addressed the (lovernor as follows ; 



342 OUARTKK MII,LENNIAL CELEHKATfON. 

•'Scptciiibcr '.I. no'.t. 

"To his Excellency Josei>Ii Dudly, Esqr.. cVrc. 

"Wee ye subscribers, Inhabitance and proprietors of Taunton Nortli 
l)urcheis (so called) humbly shewetli, that whereas we understand thai 
som of our neij^hboiirs, with soni of ye Inhabitants of Taunton, have ob- 
tained incoragement from this General Cort to be a precincts; but, for- 
asmuch as our neighbours have not acwuainted us therewith as tlujy 
ouyht so to do, we, being major part of sd. pureeis inhabitance, and 
ye first 8etlers, do, in all humble submition, offer to your honors ye un- 
happy effects yt may happen not only to ourselves, but to ye whole tract 
of land which was from ye foundation, intended for a township, which 
now it is capable of; there being many inhabitance already settled, and 
niiuiy more going to settel, on said tract of Land. But if there be so 
great a part of sd. Land taken of us as we understaml is set forth for a 
precincts by those honorable gentellmen y.e committy, who have done ac- 
cording to their plesure: and if ye nieeting-hous be built whare sd. com- 
mitty hath appynted, — which is neare ye west End of sd. purchies, which 
will be serviceable but to very few; wh. will be a means to spyle ye said 
tract of Land and cans it to be wholly unfit for a township, and frus- 
tcrate ye intention of us, ye proprietors thereof, and will discourage 
many from settling on their lands in sd. purcheis. And whareas they 
have left about one-third part of sd. purchies of ye East pait, supposing 
Bridgewater will add part of their town to it, to make ye part a pre- 
cints, it is a great mistake, ye inhabitants of Bridgewater give us no 
such incoragement. Therefore we pray this honored Cort, that there 
may be pertition-lines between ye one end of our sd. purcheis and ye 
other; but yt; if ye honored Court thinks it convenient, wee pray yt yc 
honerd Cort would grant us a township, with all the privilidgcs 
belonging to a town, to ye whole north purches, • and so much of 
Taunton old township as belongs to our military Company, which 
is from ye mouth of a Broock called Burt's Brook, and from 
thence to wenaconnett bridge, and from thence north-east to ye sd. 
north jjurcheis line; and yt ye meeting hous may be set in ye most con- 
venient place in ye senter, between the East and ye West End, which we 
conceive will be most convenient for ye whole town, both for yo 
worship of God on Sabbath dayes and for militeiy trainings, and all 
other pubiick meetings. And wee would humbly .say, yt wee arc 
very sen.sable yt we are in a great necessity of an able orthodox minister 
to be settled amongst us to dispence ye word of God amongst us: which 
when we are a town, we hope we shall be able procure and settel amongst 
us; which we hoop we shall soon indevor for, that tharein We may be 
happy. And whereas some have objected, and said yt ye north purcheis 
is to long to come to one mitteng, we think it a great mistack; for we 
can come to yc senter; and why cannot those who do object against it 
com as well as we? And furder, we pray this Cort to give a name unto 



APPENDIX. 343 

(Mir iowii; but, if this Cort thinks it is not inopcr to .t;rant iis our peti- 
tion. \vc pray the piecincis may not be eont'oinied to those wlio have pcrti- 
tioned for ye sam, but it may be suspended untell ye Cort can be better 

informed. We do appynt anil imi)ower to be our adiants to 

prefaro this our partition to ye Honored Cort. we .Subscribe ourselves 
your most luimble petitioners, — 

William Manley, senr., Thoam Drake, John I'hiliips, IJcnjamin 
Drake, William Manley, jun., John Daily, Clemant Brings, Ephraim 
Howell, Isaac Leonard, John Drake. George Hall, John Howard, Nathan- 
iel Ames, Samuel Leach, Ephraim Howard, William Ames, James Keith, 
Samuel Lathrop, Sener, Samuel Lathrop. Juner, Nathaniel Packard. 
Joseph Hay ward, Haris. " 

[State Papers, Vol. XL p. 302.] 

Three days afterwards, Sept. 12, certain individuals in tavor 
of a town, presented this additional petition: 

'■ Tti yc lloneied Generall Cort held at Boston. 

"We ye subscribers, Inhabitance of Taunton, livcinj; within ye pre- 
cincts Line of ye North purcheis, on ye Easterly part thereof, in all 
luimble submition doe offer to this Cort. yt whereas our naighbors have 
obtained a precincts to be set forth by a Committy appynted for ye -same, 
and they have taken us into sd. precinct, which was contrary to our 
minds, altho' we sijinified our minds to sd. Committy yt. we ware not 
willino- to be cut of from our minister and mittinj'-hous so near ye west 
end of sd. North purcheis yt we shall have no benefitt thereby, so yt we 
;vre like to be in wors condition than we ware in before; it beinjj; so re- 
mote from us. and a more uneasy way to travill on: Tharfore, if it be yc 
pleasure of this Cort yt wee must be drawn of from our minister and 
mittins-hous, unto which we have heatherto belonged, and have laycd 
out ])art of yt littel Estate yt we have towards ye supportin<f of , andhelj) 
with others to buikl another inittinj;-hous, and settell another minister, 
wc pray'yt ye whole north purchies, and ye part of Taunton which be- 
lonjxs to yc miletary Company, may be made a township, and yemittinj4- 
hous may be sett where it may be servisable for the whole town: which, 
wc conceive, will be a j>reat benefit to all ye inhabitance within ye tract 
of Land : for it is a f;rcat i)ity but so good a work should be prophitable 



344 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

to all yc iiihal)itancc abovcsaid; whereas, if ye niittin<;-li<)u.s be buK. in 
yc place whare it is appynted, it will be prophitable to but a very lew 
Wc subscribe ourselves your most humble petitioners, 

"Dated in Taunton 
September 12, Ana Domini 1709. 

JOHN BRIOGS, Junior. 
JOHN AUSTIN. 
JEREMIAH WETHEREL. 
WILLIAM COB. 
EDWARD WHIT. 
We desire yt Mr. Robert JOHN WETHERELL. 

(hossnian may deliver these BENJAMIN NEWLAND. 

lines into ye Cort. NICHOLAS SMITH. 

WALTER MERY. 
JOHN NEWLAND. 
JEREMIAH NEWLAND.' 
[Sate Papers Vol. XL p. :K)i'.| 

Tlie friends of a precinct were not idle, and thus ai.^ain gave 
tlieir reasons for a precinct. 

1st. Because now is the time that the spirit of God seems to move 
the hearts of those jieople So earnestly to desire it. 

'M\y. Because if it be now granted, it is to be hoped that some most 
cousidetable persons will be Incouraged to come and settle theie. when 
they know that an orthodox minister is settled there. 

odiy. Because it is to be feared, if there be no settlement of the 
ministry among them till some of those leading men among them are 
taken away, and others grown up in their room that will be brough up 
in an ungospelled way, many of them will be so far from desiring a min- 
ister, that, if some among them should Invite a minister among them, 
some others would warn him away. 

41y. Because if the Court do not grant what is desired to settle a 
minister in these places, when the report thereof is spread abroad that 
these people desired such a Grant, but the Court would not grant it. It 
is to be feared that it will be an Incouragement to some Envious persons 
to come and settle there, to the undoing of the places, and creating 
trouble to the Government; whereas it is to be hoped that a timely 
settlement of the ministry there will be a means to make those i)laces 
useful in the Government, and happy to the Inhabitants. 

These petitioners do not act through any dislike to their present 
pastor, nor to the church in Taunton, but have as great a love for, and 
esteem of, said i)astor and church, as to ri^nder them well satisfied and 
contented, if their habitations were near enough to the meeting. 



APPENDIX. 345 

And the pastor has as great a love and respect tor them hoth in tlie 
north and south purchase. 

Therefore it is not any discontent or Animosity that causetli tiic 
petitioners to stir as they do, but only that they and their children may 
Injoy the means of grace nearer lo them. 

[State Papers. Vol. CXIII, p. 517. | 

The General Court, on the i6th Sept. 1 709 accepted there- 
port of their Committee, before referred to, in favor of a new pre- 
cinct with a shght proviso, and thus this long and exciting contro- 
versy seemed to have terminated in favor of George Leonard and 
Nicholas White and the prospect for a new town was not encour- 
aging. But in less than two years the new Precinct and the Town 
both agreed that a new town should be established, and on their 
petition, this order was passed : 

"March 17th, 1710-11.— 
The following Order passed by the Council and Assembly respect- 
ively, upon the Petition of the North Precinct in Taunton, Praying to 
be Inade a Town, having the consent of Taunton therefor; viz: — 

Ordered, That the North Precinct in Taunton be, and hereby is, 
granted to be a town, distinct from the Town of Taunton by the nanu; 
of NORTON, and have and enjoy the Powers, Immunities and Privileges 
by law granted to Townships; and that a bill be projected, and brought 
in at the next session of this Court, fully to i>erfect the sd. Orant. 
Provided that the East P]nd of the North Purchase shall have half the 
said Purchase as their Precinct when they are able to maintain a iiiin- 
ister, and this Court judge them so." 
|Gen. Court Rec. Vol. IX, p. 100. | 

Thereupon the bill was passed for a new town as follows, and 
the rtnal disposition of the question Vv'as reached , 

" An Act for raising a new Town by the name of NORTON, williiii 
the County of Bristol. 

Whereas the tract of Land commonly called and known by the name 
of the North Purchase, Lying situate within the Township of Taunton, 
in the county of Bristol, circumscribed within the Lines and Boundaries 
prescribed by a committee some time since appointed by the (ieneral 
Assembly, as follows, viz. : Beginning at the line between the two late 
(Colonies of the Massachusetts and Plymouth, in the line of the said 
North J'urcliase and Attlebt)rough; from thence Running Southward to 
Rchoboth North-East corner; from thence Eastward on the Nortli-i)Ur- 



34^' OUARTKK Mn^I.KNNMAI, CELEnKATION. 

cliiiso Line, U) Tan ton liounds: thence Eastward to tlie Mondi ot tlie 
lirook called Burfs Brook, and extendin<; from the mouth of IJui t's 
Brook to the Biid<>e over the Mill Hiver, near Wm. AVitherel's; and from 
thenct North-eastward to the North-Purchase Line: and from the North- 
purchase Line, the Road that leads from the said I>rid,<;e towards Boston 
to be the Bound till it come to the Line betwixt the two Late Colonies 
aforesaid which Line to be the Bounds to Attleborough aforesaid was set 
off from Tanton by and with the consent of that Town, and by an order 
of the General Assembly, passed at their Session in March, 1710, made ii 
distinct and separate Town from Tanton, containing a sufficient (pian- 
tity of Lands and a competent number of Inhabitants for that purpose, 
and named NORTON; the full i)erfecting of the said grant being ad- 
journed and referred to the present Courts. 

In pursuance, therefore, of the afore-recited Order and Grant, and 
for the completing and perfecting of the same, Be it enacted by Ids Ex- 
cellency the Governor, Council, and Representatives in General Court 
assembled, and by the authority of the same That the aforesaid Tract of 
Land commonly called the North Purchase circumscribed and Imuudcd 
as above expressed, Be and is Granted to be a Township Distinct and 
separate from Tanton; the Town to be named Norton, and all tht' In 
habitants thereof to have. Use, Exercise, and enjoy all such Immunities. 
Powers, and Privileges as other Towns within this Province have and do 
by law exercise and enjoy, so that the said inhabitants settle and an 
able. Learned, Orthodox Minister in the said Town, and from time to 
time allow him a Comfortable support. 

Provided Nevertheless. That the Inliabilants in tlic cast end ot th< 
said North Purchase shall have one-half ot the said Purchase as their 
Precinct, when they are able to maintain a minister, and this Court judge 
them so." 

June 12th, 1711. 

1 1 Prov. Sts. i>. ()7<i. I 

^ln llio idcpariition ol tliis Aiiix'iidix iiiucli iiid Iims Imcii iI(^i ivoil I n.m Kpv. .Mi. 
(lark's History of Norton.) 



.APPENDIX Y. 

il':i}:o .o:i.i 

Tiitj original pctilion for ihc scUini^ of!" ol the South I'rueiiict. 
(lalcd Oct. II, 1708. and .sij^ned by ihirly-one rcsidcnls in llial 
localilv was in thc^c words: 



APPENDIX. 



347 



•'To His Excck'iu'y J(isc'i)li Diulloy Escir. (iuvcinouv. And In tlic Ilomnn- 
;il)lf ('uuiK'cll, Ami llepresentatives Asscmlilcd in tlicir (ircat ;m(l (Jcncr- 
;ill (Dnrt Att Boston (X-tobcr 20, 17()S. 

VVc tlu- Subscribers. Iniiabitants of Taunton Soiitli puri liaso to<;L'tlicr 
with scvx-rall Iniiabitants of the okl Township of Taunton Tliat fhvi'll on 
tlic cast side of the j;reat river; Being' under j;reat (lisadvanta.<;es By 
reason of remoteness fi"om tlie meeting-House in the ci'uter of the ohi 
Township, many of lis liveing six and seven and some of us Eiglit miles 
and some more then so distant therefrom, so that it is iini)ossible for 
us to cany our whole families with us to meetinji. And those that are 
.Vged and ( rasey among us can seldom repayr thetlier And while the 
heads of the families are absent, the younger persons are exposed to pro- 
l)hayn the sabbath att Home. 

We doe therefore out of a sincere respect to the glory of god and the 
leaveing religion as a portion unto our posterity; Tray This (Jreat and 
(ieiierall Court. That we may have the liberty to settle a minister among 
Our selves That is able orthodox Learned and pious Hoping that there is 
a competent number of us the Petitioners, to Afford that support to such 
A (piallifyed Minister as may Incorrage one to settle among us In Case 
tliis Court will please to free us from i)aying to the support of the Minis- 
try in the old Township; Which we humbly conceive may be thought 
reasonalile; Considdering that there will be as great a number of Inhabi- 
tants Bemaining in the old township to support the ministry there when 
wc are drawn of. As there was in the whole township twenty years since 
.Vnd that the greatest part of the Inhabitants of this south purchase have 
settled themselves there within this twenty year. And we submit to the 
wisdom of this (ireatand (ienerall Court to make us either a precinct or a 
township as they shall see ( 'aiise. And to set such a line thereunto as may 
Comprehend All the families of your retitioners; Although the line wc 
ourselves Have thought iiiM.n is the line that Runs Betwixt the south- 
luirchase and Taunton old townshiic And Crossing the great river to keep 
the same point till it meet with the line of fretown Township: And wc 
liave chosen Capt. Jared Talbut To present this our i)etition and to wait 



on tlie Court ,Vs i; 
Dated in Taunti 



need full 
11 <)cto])ei 



in th 



Ith f 



)urable answer tbi 
)ur verv Huniblc 



IVti 



Edward pauU 
John Beed 
Ebenezer briggs 
Henry Pitts 
Nathaniell Briggs 
Nicolas Haskens 
-lames Talbut 
Isaac pooll 



John paull 
Bichard haskins 
James paul 
Ebenezer Pitts 
Samuel Waldron . 
Ephraim Hathway 
Thomas Jones 
Hezekiah Hoar 



34«^ QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEHK ATION^ 

Abiiiliiun bliiiicluinl Malllicw hiigj^s 

Penienian biiges Thomas biigcs 

John Crane David Walker 

Isaac hathway Amos briffss 

Edward Shove Joseph pooll 

James Tysdale .Samuel Whitmarsh 
Joseph Dean 
Jared Talbiit 
Abram hathway 

This petition was followed by the following order: 
■ ill Council, 2S Octo. 1708. 

I.'cad and Ordered That tiie Pct''^ cause the Sclc<liiicii ..t ■|';iiinl..ii lo 
be Served with a Copy of this I'etitiuii iiiid that tliey be heiiid tlieicui.uii 
before this Court, on the second Tuesday ol their next Sessi(.ii: it any 
thini;- they have to Say wliy tlie i'rayi'r thereot may not be (Jniuteil. 

.Jsa. Addiii-toii Secry. 
Sent <lown for Concurrence. 
In the House of l>e])resentatives. 
()et(.. 2!)th nos. Head & 

I'ass'd. ill ( diuurrence. 

'I'hoiiias ()li\er 

Speaker.- 
Upon Keadiii}; of a Petition of the Inhabitants of Tauiitt)ii South 
Purchase, with several of the old Township, Setting forth tlieir lieuiole- 
ness from the Place of publick Worship, Prayin<;- to be made a Separate 
Precinct for the .Ministry; Oidered that the Petitioners Cause tlu' Select 
Men of Taunton to be served with a Copy of the said Petition And that 
they be heard thereupon before this Court, on the second Tuesday ol 
their next Session, If any Thing they have to say: why the Prayer there 
of nniy not be <;ranted. 

Voted a Concurrence in the House of l{ei)resentatives. 

Consented to .1. Dud lev. 
(Date of meetiii-;-, October I'S, l7()s.) 

( )n the ser\iee of this petition there was a tumult in Taunton, 
as is easily gathered from the following action of the town : \iz. : 

"Tanton feb ye lirst day ITns-'.i 
Wiiereas ye select mi'ii of our town was served with a coppy of ye noitli 
purciias and south itiirclias petitions and they (Jaused ye town to meet 
to (iather this day and Itead lliayr i)etitions in ye town nuietinfi; when 
matters was fairly del>ateil and thare beiiij;' many men of many minds so 
that nothing was Concluded on. only some persons would have ye select 



APPENDIX. 349 

men fo tako tliayr tiiin- and write ye Conrt an answer, so ye assembly 
ware dismissed. 

John Wilbore Town r;lerk. 

Henry IIed<ies 

Another town meeting three weeks afterwards as follows : 

At a Lef^all Town meetinj?, warned and held at Taunton publick meetinfj 
house the 22 day of february 1708-9 It was voted that the Town doth Im- 
l)ower the present select men, to make Return to the Generall Court in 
answer to the petitions of tlie north and south purchasers 
A True Coppy Transcribed by me John Wilbore Town Clerk. 

In May following the Selectmen sent in this communication : 

" And as for the South Purchase, we are very sensible that they will 
be exposed to oreat ditificulty, by reason of the Great River that runs 
throuoh the middle of that desired precinct, which will be difficult to 
pass in Winter by reason that the ice is many times not strong enough to 
bear, and to hard to break. Yet we say, that if this Honored Court in 
their wisdom see it convenient, and our neighbors and fi'iends see their 
way clear, we shall not oppose them; so that the Court order it that we 
be no way concerned with any of their charges, but that they bear it 
themselves. " 

But the town apparently desired to reinforce this protest and 

accordingly a special committee was appointed for this purpose, 

as appears by the following : 

•June the first ITO'.i At a Legall Town meeting warned and held at 
'i'auntou publick meeting house it was first Voted to chuse a Moderator 
and the person cliosen by Vote was Lieut James Leonard. 
2. It was put to vote whether the Town would chuse a committee of five 
men to give Eeasons in behalf of the Town, to the Generall Coxu-t, why 
the petitions of the north and south purchasers should not be granted^ 
:!. it was voted that the Town shall chuse five men to make IJeturn to 
tlie (uMierall Court and give their Reasons why, the prayers of the north 
and south purchasers should not be granted, and the persons then chosen 
for the committe were Lieut James Leonard, Thomas Harvey Knsign 
l)hillip King: Ensign Thomas Gilbert and Jonathan paddleford. 
A true coppy Transciibed I'.y me .lolni Wilbore 'i'own Clerk. 

There was evidently some sharp work going on here, for on 
the 4th of June. 1709, the Selectmen sent this word to the (leneral 
Court : 



350 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEIIRATION. 

To Vf lioiioii'd (ii'iit'iall Cort 

we wliosr names are under written Knowinjj it to be our duty to be faitli- 
tnll until ye (Jare and trust commited to us by ye towne of Taunton and 
Knowing;- yt ('ai)t .larat Talbut of our tauuton south i)urcliase and others 
tif his neighbours had petitioned ye (ireat and (4enerall Cort to yrant 
llieni a towushij) or a presint and hearinj; yt ye Cort had sent us a notili- 
cation lo make answer wliy their jirayei's shouhl not be j^raiited I James 
Leonard (U'siered sd 'i'albut to h't us ye sek'ctmen liave ye notification yt 
ye Cort had sent to us which was on ye :!()tli (hiy of may: ITO'.t and sd Tal- 
imt said yt we sliouhl iiave it if we woiUd pay foi' it and on ye lirst day of 
. I line ITd'.i 1 said Tliomas Harvey (h'sired sd Talbut to give us ye sd uoti- 
tication and sd Talbut said he had given a copye of sd notilication to 
Joim Spin- on of our select nu'ii as witnes our hands this 4th day of .Inn 
in yeare of Christ ITti".). 

James Leonard ) two of ye 
Thomas harvey J selectnu'U. 

This Committee, above chosen June ist, immediately sent in 
this remonstrance. 

To his Excly .loseph DuiUey Esijr. Cai)tn (Tenerall tt Covernour in eliief 
in and over her majesties province of ye Massachusetts bay &c and to ye 
honoured Councill and Representatives convened in General Court. 

Whereas a petition has been presented to this great and (xeneral 
Court by some of Taunton south purcliase and some of the Inhabitants 
of The East side The Great River opposite to sd purchase, to be joyned 
to gether either in a township or precinct, Sepai-ate from the old Town-, 
ship or other parts of sd town, and upiui Reading and Considering sd 
petition This Great and general Court ordered that the .Sele<;t Men of 
Taunton bee served with a coppy of sd petition as we hear, that they 
might be heard If they had any thing to say, why ye prayr of sd petition- 
cis should not be granted, the Select Men warnd a town meeting to Con- 
sider of the matter (as also concerning ye north purchase petition) and 
the Town met togather and petitioners: but fell into such a heat of si)irit 
liy siuli a Striving by the i)etitioners to break our Town to pesis: The 
day was sjient in Confusion and the meeting dismist and nothing done: 
and the selectnum warnd another town meeting to be on ye 22nd day of 
february 17()S-!» and the town and petitioners mett to gather, the select 
men desird of Capt. Talbut to se the petition That they and the 'i'own 
nnght Consider it and doo wliat was proper to be done alxiut it but 
Captn. Talbut Ctterly Refused to sliow it To tiiem or to Lett tliem see it. 
so that we the subscribers cannot tell what is proi)erly jietitioued for. 
and are therefore Uendered in(ai)able of making any objections or to 
manifest our Mnwillingness to have it granted, having notiiing but com- 
mon talk to ioiisi(h'r of. wiiicli grieves us and ]>uts us to a stand wiiat to 



APPENDIX. 351 

(1(». now may it \Aeas this Great and iKniord Conrt. If we otTer any thinii 
as objeetions to ye granting sd petition, it i-annot be certain tor we know 
not certain what they petition for: If onr neibonrs wouhl be a Townslnjt, 
we Immbly conceive that cannot be without tlte Towns willingness, for 
'rownshi]»s are to continne as they are by our Charters and Laws, and If 
it be a precinct that our neighbours would have according as is talked 
about, it is not possible to answer the end they propose to themselves 
and it will certainly put such a charge on the midle part of the Town 
who live upon small Lots that they will not be able to beare it, but must 
wc fear Dismis our setled minister and cpiit our houses and smal Lots 
and move into the out parts of the Town too Or Leave the Town (piite. 
all that we can say farther is untill we are farther aciiuainted witli tiic sd 
petetition is earnestly to pray This great and General court, that the mat- 
ter may wliolly sease, or at Least be suspended that the matter may be 
farther considered In our Town, and If it may fairly and in a christian 
way be Del»ated among us which we humbly conceive may stop a great 
Deal of Trouble and Gontention among us, and we are humbly of opinion 
that ye true state of the matter cannot be known by wliat is offored. but 
If there be any farther itroceedings about it, we pray a Gommite of Itc- 
mote persons be chosen to vew what is Desired and hear what may be 
said and make Report to this great and generall court att ye Charge of 
those that Trouble us. The Select men not agreeing in making answer to 
this honrd Court they warnd another Town metting June 1st 17051 and ye 
Town and petitioners mett Together to chuse a commite and the Town 
ma<le a choyce of us the subscribers to act and make answer to this hcnird 
Court anil so pray that (xod almighty Direct in this and all the weighty 
affairs before in this time of Ditticulty we subscribe your honord humble 
servants 
Dated June oth ITOU. 

James Leonarrd | 

Phillip King 

Thomas Harvey > Commitey 

Thomas GilBert 

Jonathan padelford J 

Some of the Southern residents however did not concur in 
the foregoing petition, but sent in this remonstrance, whicii indi- 
cates a need of a school master quite as much as of a minister. 

To his Exelencey the governor ("apt. giniaril In and over his nniiestes 
province of the masachusetts bay in New Ingland: and heeir maeisles 
Counoel ami to his honnourable house of liepresentatives sitting at bos- 
ton febuarey 24t.h 17()S may it pleas this great and general Court to here 
the humble petishion of us whose names are under writon being the in- 
habetcnce of the south puichas that belongeth to Taunton: Wc umler 



35,2 QUARTER MILLENNIAI- CELEBRATION. 

stand some of our neif;libours of sd south purchase have proposed a 
petishio to gether with some of the East side of Taunton of'eat lliver 
wfhose liands are to sd petishion for township or- presink we pray that 
no such thin<f may be for these Resens folowing 1. We are but fu in 
number 2. The most of us young beginirs having great laings out to 
to subdue the wildrnes and to build houses to dwell in. 3. the great- 
ness of Rates by Reson of wars and long continuing and no appearance 
of i^eace and that we cannot expect peace so long as every mans hand 
is against his neighbour 4 we are informed our neighbours of the 
south purchas have made artickles of agrement that they will build the 
meeting house upon their one Cost and Charge and be at the Charge of 
setting an atardoxe minister and half charge of ferebots tofere over sd 
River which will be several hundreds of pouns lost; it will be Runus to 
us and them if any such thing be: 51y the defilcy of feren over the River 
by Reson of eise often fresing and thain that it is so un serting that 
some of Those most Knoing the River Latly fell threw the ise and were 
in great Danger of Drowining: 6ly great Diffilcy by Reson of the wateis 
exces of swiftnes up the River and some times down some tides with 
wind very dangrous pasing acros some times by great tioods Runing so 
swift down .sd River dangrous pasing over: 7ly We ar not willing to 
love our Reverend Mr. Samuel danfoth who is and will be we hope 
untill death our faithfull menester of Jesus Christ: therefore In par- 
ticular we pray that we may not be Removed from under his faithfull 
ministrey: 81y we pray as childrin to their father that you would not 
sufer aney such thing to be because we are not able to bare it by Reson 
of our in ability: the litle bee when neley swarmed is destitute of honey : 
lily We wer not In formed of sd petishion untill we were Informed by 
sd gcncvMll court: ;ind that we dooe owne one quarter part of sd soulii 
jiuiilias as our one freeliold: lioi)iiig in your clemency yours to jiray for. 

nicolas morey James Walker sen. 

eleazer Walker elezabeth emerson 

James Walker 
John Ward 
Nathan Walker 

The (leneral Court feeling much perplexed at this variety of 
views in the persons most interested, resolved to send a committee 
to examine and report upon the subject, in these words: 

I'j.on \hv Ilcariiiu- ot tlic several Petitions of tlie Inhabitants of the 
Noitli A- Soutli I'ineliases in Taunton, to be made separate Precincts for 
tiie Settliii.n A- Sui.port of tl:e Ministry in tiie respective Pla<'es. 

Pesolvcd that Nalliaiiiei Tlioi.ias. Nathaniel P.ylield and .lames War- 
ren Ks(irs. be a ( 'oniiiiittee to repair to Taunton. A- ^■ie\\ the said seveial 



APPENDIX. 353 

Pnrcliases. & V]u>\i Ci.nsidenitinii of ;ill riicuinstaiicfs. to sett oft' proper 
I'lvciiicts to eiifoiuaiif t\\r ^ood Kiids dcsiicd l.y tlu' Petitioners, and to 
advise cV- Direct to the most suitable Places tor the liaising of their Meet- 
ing Houses, and to make their Peport to the next Session of tliis dnut 
for Confirmation. Nathaniel Tliomas Ksqr. to appoint the Time: Tlie 
t'liarges of the said Committee to be born by the said I'lvcincts. 

AVcli Pes(.lve being sent down to the Keiuesenfves \Vas Concur'd by 

tliat House And is Consented to. J. Dudley. 

(Date of meeting. June s. 17(l<.».) 

'J'his Committee reported as follow.s: 

•' Pursuant to an Order of the Great & Genii Court dated June ye 
'jtli 1700 tons Directed to Repaire to Taunton & vew the severall Tracts 
<»f land which the Inhabitants of the North & South Purchases in Taun- 
ton have Petioned to be made separate precincts for the settling & 
suport of the Ministry in the said Respective Places. 

And We the subscribers haveing vewed the said severall Tracts & 
Heard the allegations of the opposite Partys thereto upon Consideiation 
of all Circumstances have set the bounds of the severall precincts as fol- 
lowetli 

That is to say That the bounds of the North Precinct according to 
their Petition) shall begin at the Line between the two old Colonys of 
the Massachusetts & Plimouth in the Hue of the bounds between Taun- 
ton North Purchase & Attlebury & from thence Southward toRehoboths 
Northeast Corner & from thence Eastward on the said No. Purchase line 
to Tauntou bounds, & thence Eastward to the Mouth of the bro<d<; 
Called hurts brook leaving out Capt. Hodgess land at Birts brook & 
Extending from the Mouth of Burts brook to the bridge made over 
the Mill River near Wm. Witherells & from thence North Eastward to 
the North Purchase line & from the North Purchase line the road that 
leads from said brig towards Norton to be the bounds till it come to the 
line Betwen the said late Colonys which line to be the l»ounds to Attle- 
bury bounds aforesd. 

And that the Meeting house for the said North Precinct shall be 
sett on the Northward side of the way that leads over Rumford 
River at Crosmaus Way at the Place where the way Crosseth it that 
leads from John Hodges" s to the Beech Island. 

And the bounds of the Precinct of the South Purchase aforesd shall 
(according to their Petion) be the Line between Tan ton Town old liounds & 
the said South Purchase & from the Mouth of three Mile River to the 
Maple Tree att assemitt River at the Road of freeTown land. And that 
the Meeting house for -the said South Precinct shall be set on the West 
side of the way near Cajjt. Jerard Talbutts house according as the Peti- 
tionrs have agreed. 



3 54 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELERRATION. 

In tt'stiinoiiy wliereot We liavc lu'rcuuto set our liands 

NATHANIEL TH().\LAS, 
N. HY FIELD, 
10th Sept., ITOtl In Council. JAiMES WAL'KKN. 

Head aud aceepted. Jsa. Addin;i;t(>n. Seeiy. 
Sent down tor concurrence 
Sept. 10 170«.t. Head 
In the House of Hepresentatives. 

Sept. r.) 170!). Head & Concurred with the Proviso annex'd 
John Olark Speakei-. 
Diepredict 
.\greed to tlie Trovisio In Council 

Jsa. Addingtou Secry. 
■ Provided that the East End of the North Purchase shall have halfe 
the said Purchase, as their Precint: when they are able to maintain a 
Minister, ct this Court judge them so. 

lUit soon this South ]M-eciii(i was anxious to become a separate 
town and petitioned for thai purpose, on which this action was 
laken b) the House of Representatives. 

•• ri)on reading a petition of Cpt. Jared Talhot Agent for ct in the 
Name iV: Behalf of the Inhahts of the South Precinct in Taunton. Play- 
ing to have their Bounds cii(iims<i ihed & ascertained & to be made a 
Township of them selves: 

Ordered That the Petitioner Cause the Select Men of Taunton to 
be served with a Copy of this Petition to notify them that they attend a 
Hearing of the Prayer of the Petition before this Court on Friday the 
tenth of November next, if they continue to sit so long. If they have any 
Thing to object thereto, Otherwise on the first Tuesday of the next Ses- 
sion. 

Concurred by the Representatives:— Consented to, J. Dudley. 

(Date of meeting, October 27th 1710. 

If any opposition was nuide to tlie creation of a new town it 
was not successful, and in 1712, an order was passed as follows: 

LTpon Reading a Petition of Cpt. Jared Talbot Agent for the South 
Precinct in Taunton, Praying in the name & Behalfe of the Inhabitants 
of the said Precinct that they may be made a Town, as pr;iytil fnr in a 
formei' Petition. 

Ordered that the Prayer of the Petition In- granted for a Townsliii> 
The Town to be named Dighton, There having been a Hearing betwixt 
the Petitioners d- tbe .Agents for the Town of Taunton befoje this Court 
in aformer Session .some 'I'inu- since, and tli;it npoii the ai)plication of 



APPENDIX. 355 

the Select Men of Taunton oi- of Diohton. tlie t'oinier Committee assigned 
to survey & propose a Line for the Precinct he desired & impowered to 
perfect fully descrihe & ascertain the Line throughout, & Report the 
same to this Court. Not including any Land, but what is property within 
tlie Township of Taunton, Saving the Determining the Charge of the 
Building & liepairing of Bridges upon a Hearing at any Time before 
this Court, as also a Proportion of all Arrearages of Town Charges ac 
lining whilst Taunton Township remained entire before division, and 
that a Piatt of this Township he presented: 

Concurred by the Representatives: — Consented to, J. Dudley. 

(Date of meeting, May oO, ITli'.) 

The town of Dighton was thus somewhat irregularly created, 

but in 1744 a contirniatory act was passed, detining the bounds as 

follows : 

A\ ACT FOR ASCERTAINING THE BOUNDS OP THE TOWN 

OF DIGHTON; 

.\NI) FOR THE CONFIRMATION OF THEIR POWERS AND 

PRIVILEGES. 

[3 Prov. Sts., p. 215.] 

WHEREAS in the year one thousand seven hundred and twelve the 
South Precinct in Taunton was erected into a township by the name of 
Dighton, hut the bounds thereof were not fully ascertained and by rea- 
son thereof of late there have some disputes arisen, an<l application 
hath been made to this court to ascertain the bounds, — 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GOVERNOUR, COUNCIL AND HOUSE 
OF REPRESENTATIVES, 
(Sect. 1.) That the bounds of the said town of Dighton shall be as 
follows; viz. : beginning at a heap of stones by a rock near the water side 
on the westerly side of Broad Cove and from thence running Westerly 
to a heap of stones near Bristol old path ; and from thence westerly to 
a heap of stones near two miles from said Broad Cove and then running- 
northerly about two miles to a stump of an ash tree ; thence west and 
by north, to Rehoboth ancient line, to a stake and stones about it, being 
the north corner of the town of Swanzey, and the southwest corner of 
the said town of Dighton; thence northerly on a straiglit line to 
a marked tree commonly called the "Horseshoe;"' thence easterly by 
marked trees down to the Three Mile River, so called; then with 
said River to Taunton Great River; then down Taunton Great River 
till it comes to the bounds first mentioned, together with Assonet(t) Neck, 
so far northerly as to come to the northerly bound of the laud that was 
Mr. Edward Shove's; and that the land included within the bounds afore- 
said shall always hereafter be deemed a township by the name of Digh- 



3 5^ QUARTER MILLENNIAL CEI.EP.K ATION. 

ton as aforesaid : and tliat tlic inhal)itants thereof be invested with the 
powers. i>rivile^es, and immunities tliat the inhabitants of any «>f the 
towns witliin this province by law are or ought to be invested witli. any 
hxw, order or custom to the contrary notwithstanding. 

(Sect. •_'. ) .Vnd all former acns anil proceedings of the iidiabitants of 
the said town of Dighton are hereby declared to all intents and purposes 
as valid, and of as full effect as if the said town had by an act of this 
court been incorporated and vested with the powers and privileges of a 
township at the time of their being taken off from Taunton, or sei)(e) 
(a) rated as aforesaid. 

PROVIDED ALWAYS,— 

(SECTION ;;. ) That property shall not be affected by this a.-t. any 
construction thereof, or of any part thereof, to the contrary notwith- 
standing. Passed Januaiy M. 1744. 



APPENDIX Z. 

[I'njie 53.] 

The following;- is the act creatino; the town of Raynhani. 

Province Laws. IToO-MI. Cli. 14.— An act for dividing the town ,.f 
Taunton, and erecting a new town there by the name of IJaynham. 

Whereas the town of Taunton, within the county of lirisfol. consists 
of a great number of inhabitants, and the northeasterly i)ait thereof is 
competently tilled with iidiabitants. who lia\e addressed Ibis court to be 
set off a district and sep(a) (e)iate township.— 

lie it therefore cna.'ted l>y ills Excellency tlic ( Jovcruoiir. (■oiuicii 
antl itepreseiitativi-s in (ieiicrai Court assemble.], iiiid by the iiuthoritv 
of tile same. 

(Sect. 1.) 'IMiat the north-easterly i)ait of Taunton. ;is hereafter 
bounded and described, he and ]ierel)y is st't off and constituted a sep(;i) 
(e)rate townshi]). by the name ot i;;iyiihaiii : tlu' bounds of tlic said town 
slii)) to be as b.llowetli: vi/... on the cast l.y i!ri(lg(e)water line; ontiic 
south l)y Taunton (Jrcat b'iver, including nil the land of Li.'Uteiiiint Kl.cii- 

ezer Itobiiiso i (lie soiit li-e;isterly or south siih'of s(ai)(l river (except 

that p(ie)ei)ce of land by his saw mill, near tlie furnaee. which is in .Mid- 
dle!... rough piveinct): Ihenee down said liver to the l.olin.ls l.etweell the 
land of Thomas Dean and Natlniiiiel Williams. ;it the pla.-e culled Shallow 
Water: thence on a straight line to the east end of Prosjiect Hill, at the 
going over of the way : including within s:iid new townshi]. all the land of 
Zeidianiah Leou:iid. and that which was formerly ( apt. .lames Leonard's. 



ATPENDIX. 357 

wliicli Joiiicrli to ini.l is nil tlic west side uf s:ii(l line— wlii.li is I.. |.;i.v liis 
inopoilioii of iill imhlick cIkh'ocs to snid new towiislii)..— ;iii(l c'\<'ludin.<i 
tl;i' linid ot Xnthitiiii'l Willi;iii)s. Joiniii;; to ;nul on llic <':ist side of siiid 
line,— wliicli is to ]);iy liis i>ro])ortioii of jiuldick i-li;irm's to tlir town of 
Tiinnti.ii: tlu'iicc to iiin noitlicrlv iiv said \v;iy to tlic -rc:it ccdnr s\v;ini|. 
;it till' -i'oiii.i;- in of tlir .^rcMt-islaiid \v;iy: tlicnrc to cross said island, and 
run stnii-ilit to Easton line, at the nearest place: tlience to run easterly 
Ity s(ai)d Eastou Hue. until it comes to l!iid.n(e)water line, lirst iiien- 
MoikmI: and that the inliabilants of the said lands, as before deseribod. 
arc liereby aceordinoly endowed and vested with all powers, privileges. 
iminunit(ie)(y)s and advanta.ges wliieh other towns in this province by 
law have and enjoy: prnriihil, that the inhabitants of the said town of 
Ivaynliain do, within the spaee of tliree years from the publication of 
this act, proeure and settle a learned, orthodox minister, of uood conver- 
sation and make provision for liis comfortable and honourable support, 
and likewise provide a school master to instruct their youth to read and 
write. 

Provided, also. — 

And be it further eiiacteil. 

(Sect. 2.) That the said inhabitants of the s(ai)d town of Kaynhani 
l.ay th-ir respective proportions of ail taxes and town rates that are al- 
ready levied or assessed ui>on the town of 'rauntoii. forcliaiucs hitlieito 
arisen within said town; a,nd Ihat, that part of the land belonfrinji to 
Jt)hu King and IMiillip King, within the bounds herein described, that 
lia(lh) |ve) lieen heretofore exempted from paying public charges to the 
town of Taunton, be also in like manner exempted from paying any 
charges towards this new townshij). 

(Passed April i' : puldished April :>. IT-W. 



APPENDIX AA. 

(Tn^c 53.) 
'I'Jic ^ict cicatiiii; ihc town of iierklc}- reads tlnis : 

An act for dividing the towns ot ■I'aunton and Dighloii, and ereclnig 
a new town there by the name of Berkeley. 

Whereas the southerly part of 'i'aunlon. and the iKuth part ot 
Dighton. on the east side of the Great iiiver, is competently liir(e)d with 
inhabitants who labour under dittieulties by reason of their remoteness 
from the plaies of publick meetings in the said towns, and have there- 



358 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

njioii iiuulc tliL'ir application to tliis court.tiiat tlieymay l)e set off a <Iistincl 
and sei)(a)(€')i=<te townsliip. ai.ul be vested with all the powers and priv- 
ileges that other towns in this province aie vested with, — 

Re it therefore enacted by His Excellency the (roveinor, f'onncil 
and Representatives in fleneral Conrt assembled, and by tlu^ authority 
of the same. 

(Sect. 1.) That the soutlicrly part of Taunton, and the northerly 
part of Dig'hton, on the east side of the Great River, as hereafter 
bounded and ilescribed, be and hereby are set(t) off, constituted and 
erected into a sep(a)(e)rate and distinct township, by the name of 
Berkeley. 

(Sect. 2.) The bounds of the said township Ijeinft- as follows; viz.. 
bef>innino; at the sjreat river at a forked wiiite oak tree, at the landing; 
place between the land of .Abraham Tisdal(e) and Micab Pratt, and from 
thence to extend on a streijiht line to a dam. known by the name of Lit- 
tle .Meadow r)ain(ni): from thence to a rock with a heap of srones on it. 
in the said Little Mea(h)\\: from thence to extend on a strei.^ht line, 
until it intersects the line of the pi'ecinct, which includes part of 'i'aun- 
lon and ])art of Middleborough, opposite to the dwelling;- house of Joiin 
Williams; from thence to extend on said precinct line to the mai>le tree, 
which is the corner bounds of MiddleborouRh. Freetown, Difjhtoii and 
Taunton: and from thence, bounded by F'reetown, till it comes to a little 
knai)p or hillock of upland, beinti' the bounds between Di<;liton. Free- 
town, and .A.ssonet Neck; and then bounded by the land of Mr. Edward 
Shove, till it comes to Taunton river, and then bounded by said rivei. till 
it comes to the first mentioned liounds. 

(Sect. M. ) And that the inhabitants thereof be and hereby aic 
vested and endowed with equal powers, privileges and immunities that 
the inhabitants of any of the other towns within this i)rovince are, or by 
law ouffbt to be vested with. 

Only 

(Sect. 4.) It is to be understood that John Spurr, Nicholas Stevens, 
John Ti.sdale, Abraham Tisdale, Israel Tisdale and Ebenezcr Pitts, and 
their families and estates, are not to be included in said township, and 
are to belonjj to the towns of Taunton and Dijjhton. as formerly. 

(Sect. .5.) And the inhabitants of the town of Berkeley are herel).\- 
required, within the space of two years from the publication of this act. 
to procure and .settle a learned, orthodox minister of good conversation. 
and make provision for his comfortable and honourable sujtport, and 
also errect and fiidsh a suitable and convenient house for the i)ublick 
worship of God, in said town. 

Provided also. 

(.Sect, ti.) That the inlial.itanls. included within this lownshi].. that, 
heretofore belongeil to Taunton, shall from time to tinu', pay towards 



APPENDIX. 359 

tlie n'])nir of Ware Biidj;*' in proportion with tlic iciuaiiiinj; |)ai t of 
'raunfon, according to their assessment in the hist province tax, and also 
their i)io])ortion of tlie rates and taxes already made in 'I'aunton; anfl 
that that part of tiiisnew townsliip whicli helong'd to Diojiton, pay their 
pro|)oition with tlic said town of Diohton of the aireais of their out- 
standing rates already made, and of tlie dehts due from the said town of 
Dighton. an<l also their proportion of the (diarge for the maintenance of 
the present poor of the town of Dighton. 

(Passed and i)ublished April 18, n:3-"). Prov. Laws. J7:!4~.'). Ch. lit.) 



APPENDIX BB. 

[fuse 54.1 

The history of the settlement of New Taunton is full\- dis- 
rlosed in a copy of tlie records of the Proprietors, which has 
been obtained in full from the records of the town of ^^'estmin- 
ster, \'erni()iit, and are given below. " Rumford on Merrimac," 
mentioned hereafter, is well known to be Concord, N. H., and the 
•• Creat Falls ■■ is now called Bellows Falls. Twenty-eight town- 
ships weie laid out between the Connecticut and the Merrimack 
ii\ers. ( )ne on the iv<'s/ bank of the Connecticut, was on its sur- 
\e\- called ■•Township Number One," and being granted to a 
number of peisons from 'J'aunton, Norton and Easton, in Mas- 
sachusetts, and from Ashford and Killingly, in Connecticut, who 
had petitioned for the same, was named "New Taunton," as most 
of the petitioners were from this town. The first meeting of the 
proprietors was Jan. 14, ly.s'"), ((>. S.), and on the 26th .Sept., 1737, 
((). .S., I onl\- nine months later, the allotment of shares took place, 
and proposals were issued for building a saw mill and grist mill. 
<)nllie5thof March, 1740, the true northern boundary line of 
Massachusetts was established, and New 'I'aunton was found to 
be not within the jurisdiction of this Connunnwealth. 

.1/ </ (;,■<■, il mi'l (icnmil Cniirl nr Assmihhi /,,r his Miijislifs Proriiirc 
-;/ Ihr Miissarhilsflts V„ii/ In X'W hhujhuiil l>,;j,in iukI hrhl <>l l',nsl,ni npm, 
U'i:li,es,hii/. Ihr Tu-i-nh/ F/njhlh lunj nf M,i,j W,:* null cottl i i>u'<l Inj sem-iil 



360 OUAKTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

(tdjoiinniiculs to Wnhuxilay, tin- ]S'iii<tc< i,l], Dnij nf Konynhrr ,iii<l /nrtlicr 
ronHinird h,j ii.ljnurmn.uls In }Vv,hi>s,lu;i tin Thirl I/- first Ihnj ■>/ l),r,uil,rr 
InllnlviiHJ <t)nl thin ,„rt Thursd,,;/ . Junniiry L"). 17:>>. 

Ediiiuiid Qiiiiic!/ Exquirefroiii ll,< {',,i„mittt:v <;/" both llniisfsnn the jx- 
(itionsfor Town-^hipn d'c, fjure hi t/ic J'ollowin;/ Riimrl, viz.: 

The Committee appointed the Fourteenth cunont to take iiitti con- 
.sideratiim the several Petitions for Tovvnsliips now before Mie rouil 
and Rei)ort wliat may be proper for the Court to do thereon, Mavinj; 
met and maturely Considered the same are humbly of oi)inion. That 
there be a careful view and survey of the lands between Merrimack and 
(Connecticut Kivers from the north-west corner of Knmford on Men 1- 
niack to the Great Falls on (.'onnecticut of Twelve miles at the least in 
Hreadtli or noith and south, by a committee of Eleven able and suitable 
Persons to l)e appointed by this Court, who shall after a due Knowledge 
of the natnie and circumstances thereof, lay the same into as iiiniiy 
Townships of the contents of six mihvs square as tlic Land in widtli 
as aforesaid will allow of: no Townshi]) to be nunc than six niilc> 
Kast and West, and also Lay (Uit the liand on the Last side of Con- 
necticut Uiver from .said Falls to the Townshii* laid out to Josiah 
Willard and others into as many Townships of the Contents of six 
miles square as the same will allow of; and also the land on the west 
side of the Kiver of Connecticut from said Falls to the Equivalent Land 
into One or two Townships of the contents of six miles S(juare if the 
same will allow thereof: 

Five of which Committee to be a (juoroni for surveyin*;- and layinj; out 
the Townshii)s on each, fiom Rumford to Connecticut iliver as afori- 
said: And three of the committee aforenamed shall be a quorum for sur- 
veyinj;- and layin-; out tlie '!'i>wnshii)s on each side of Connecticut i.'ivcr 
as aforesai<i: And that tlic said Connnittcc make n lej-ort of their doini^s 
to this Court at their sessions in .M.iy next or ;is soon ;is conveniently they 
(•;ni. that so tiic I'cisons whose niinies arc .(.ntaincd in the several Teti- 
lions liercafter inentioneil. vis: In tli.' Petition of iiopkinton. In the 
Petition of Salisbury and .Mmsbury. In tlic Petition of Canil.riduc In 
the IVtition of Pradford and Wi'wliam. In the Petition of liaverhil. In 
the Petition of Milt.m and P.rooklin<-. In tiie Petith.n of .Sninuel Cham- 
berlain and .Jonathan .lewett. and in the Petition of Nathaniel Harris A-e. 
In the Petition of .Stephens anil (ioidden and Others. In the Petition of 
Mornan Cobb Xr. .loUMtlnni Wells \-,-. Lys.onib and .lohnson .V:e. In the 
Petition of ls:i;ie Little &■>-. In tlu' Petition ot .lonatlmn Powers A. • 
.lohn Whitman Ks.p- Am. Sunnn'l lliiywood A-e. .losinli Kiij-ct and Others, 
.bdm Flynt ;niil Olheis. .lonatlian II. .wind ;ind Others of P,ri<l.-vw;iter. 
that liiive not iierel,.|ore been M(lmitte<l (iiinitees oi- Settlers within the 



Ari'ENDIX. 



r/^i 



Townsliiii or piiititular (iniiit on roii(!irioii ..t scttliii- : niid tli;it slnill m])- 
jn'iir itml jiive st'cuiity to tlic v;iluc i>f Forty Pounds to )icitorni tlic ron- 
.Htiuns that sliitll ]>»■ rnjoincd hy this Court, nniy l.y tlic major part of tlic 
Coiuniittec lie admitted (Jrantccs into oiu' of the said Townsliips: The 
(■omniittee to t;ive puhlick notice of the Time and IMace of their mectiiiu 
to admit the (rrantees, wliicli Committee shall he Impowcred to Kmploy 
Surveyors and ehainmen to assist Ihein surveyin<; And laying mit said 
Townships. The Province to hear the char;4e. and he repaid hy the (iian- 
tees. wlio may he admitted, the whole diar-ic they shall advance. Which 
committee we apprehend oiinlit to he directed and iiiii.owered to admit 
sixty setth-rs in each Townshi]. and take their honds payahle to the com- 
mittee and their successors in the said trust, to tlie use of tli<' Proviii<-e 
for the ]>erforniance of the conditions of tlieir (irant \'iz. 

Tiiat each (irantc I'.uild a Dwellin- House of Kiuhteen feet s(iuarc 
and seven feet stud at the least, on their respective Home lots, and Fence 
in and ])reak up for Plowin-. or clear and stock with Fn^lish (irass Five 
Acres of Lmd within three years next after their admittance, and 
cause their respective Lofts to he inhahited: And that the (Jrantees do 
within the s))ace of Three years from tlie time of their heinii;- admitted 
Ihiild and fuinisli a convenient Meetin.u- House for the I'uhlick Worsliii> 
of (ioil, and settle a Learned Orthodox Ministei-: and in <'ase any of 
the (Jrantees siiall fail Or ne.ulcct to iierforni what is enjoined as ahove. 
The Comnuttee shall he ohli-ed to i.ut the Honds in suit, and take pos- 
sesion of tlie Lotts and Pi.ulits tjiat shall l)ecomc forfeit, and proceed to 
.urant them to Other I'ersons that will ajiiiear t.. fultill the conditions 
within one year next after tlie said last mentioned (Jrant. And if a siif- 
licient nuniher of Petifioni'rs tliat have no (irant within seven years as 
aforesaid (viz.) (sixty to each Townshi].) do not aj.pear. Others may he 
admitted. Provided' they have fnltilled the Cou.litions of their former 
<;rant: The Committee to take care that there he sixty three Home Lott> 
laid (Uit in as reunlar. compact and defciisil)le a manner as the Land will 
allow of. One of which L..tts sliall he for the First settled .Minister. 
One for the second settled Minister, and One for the School: to each of 
which an eipial Proportion of Lands shall accrue in all future Divisions. 
Hy order of the Committee P^dward (^)uiney 

Frvdav \ 

January Hi. IT.'..".. ) In the House of llcprcsentativcs 

Or.lciiMl. That .h.sepli (o'liish. ll.'njamiii Prescot. .losiah Willard. 
• loh .Umy, Ks.piires, .Mr .Moses I'iers<.n. and Cai.tain .losepli (o.uld with 
su( h as Hie Honorahle Hoard shall join, he a Committee t(. all intents and 
l.uri>oses to effect the IJusiness projected hy the Peix.rt of the Committee 
of hoth houses, to consider the I'ctitions for Towiishi]is. which Pass'd 
this Day. vis. (.11 the proposed Line l.etween .Mcrrima.k and Coiiiiccticul 
Kiver and on h(.th sides of Connecticut Liver. .\nil. that there he 



362 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

(iiMiitcl ;iii(l :in,.\\,.(l In l.c p.-iid (.lit of the I'lil.Jirk ■|"rf;isnry. ;itt.T f lie 
\l:\tv (it (•■it'tccii Sliilliii-s i.cr Diem (o Oiicli i.nc of tlu- Coniniitlcc for 
ivciv I)a\ he is ill the scivi.c in tlic Woods. Mild siil..sisfeii(c. ;nid 'I'cii 
Siiilliii^s j.cr Diem for every Day to eaeli one of tlie said Conmiittee 
while in tlie service in admittiiiL; Settlers into llie said Townslni.s and 
Sid.sistenee to he I'aid as afoicsaid. 

Ill Conneil I.'eadand Con.uiied: And William 1 )ndley. Samuel Wells- 
■j'liomas r.eiiy. .losepli Wilder, and .loliii (handler .l-iiir. Ks.p.ires are 
Joiii.'d with theC(.minittee of the House for the Line l.etweeii Merrimack 
and Conneeticutt liiveis A-v. 

.\t a (;reat and (o'lieral Court Meld in Itoston. the Twenty Koiirt h 
Day of Xovemher One Tli(Uisand Seven Hundred and thirty-six. the fol- 
lowing Vote i'assed the Two Houses and was conseiite.l to liy t he ( o.V- 
ernour. \is. 

\-oted. That Mr. .Joseph Tisdale of Taunton, he and heivl.y is hn- 
l.owei-ed to Assenihle the (Jiantees of the Townshiii Niiinher ( >iie on the 
west side of Conneetieiil h'iver. adjoiniiiu to the i'liiui vaU'iit Land, so 
called, (iiviiii: Timely notice to the said (Jrantees admitte.l into the said 
'i'o\viislii|.. hy the Committee of this ( ouit. and to meet in Taunton w hei-c 
lliey live. Ill (U.lcr to clmsc a Moderat.pr and I'roi.ri.'lors Clerk and Com- 
mittee to allot and Divide their Lands and to dispos.. of the same and to 
Lass such N'otes and Orders, as l.y them may he thou.uht condii.-i v.' f ..i 
the speedy fiillillnieiit of the conditions of t hei r (; rants. And also to 
auree upon methods tor callin.u- of meetings f(U- the future: I'rovided. 
none of their votes concerning th<> Dividin- or Disposin- ,.f their Lands 
that shall he I'assed while they are under the ,a re a nd <li ivd ion of the 
Coiiiinittee of this C(Uirt shall he of f,uve. hefore they are allowed of l.y 
the said Committee. 

TIk' records of these (Irautees of to\\nshi[) No. One jjroceeil 
lo stale as follows : 

\\ a Lenall meetiii- of the I'ropiietois or (irantees of the Township 
No. One on \hv \\ est side of Conecticiitt I.Mver: Near the (.real Kails 
within the Line of Towns, within his Majesties I'rovinceof The Massa- 
chusetts Hay in New hai-laud wlii.di said mctine: was warned l.y Capt. 
.losej.h Tisdale. I'ursuant t(. a \ ote or ..ider of t he (ireal and (Jeneral 
Court of the I'rovin.'c atforesaide and Held at the Schoole House In ■I'auiu 
ton .hinnary the fourteenth. .\. D. IT:'.!'. .\ii<l then I'assed The followiiiL: 
Votes \'i/,.- 

jst \-oted Thai Dea.oii Samuel Sumner he Moderator ot said .M<'el- 
in- hy the Major j.ait <.f votes, Kach One \ otinu a.'cordinu to his Interest 
which choice was l.y a uivat Majority. 

I'd \'ote(l That -lames Williams he proprietors Clerk tor said Towii- 
-hi].. and was then sworn 1(. said -i'lust and then said meetiiie was ad 



APPENDIX. 

•of CMpt. .],.. 



363 



'I'isdnli-: ;ni(l Tliru li 



jduniod to tlie Dwrllinii li 
(liatfly iiu't. 

:;i(l Voted Tliat tlic said CU-ik foithwith Pmclia.se at tlie .said Pio- 
prietor.s cost and char.uc ;i sditaMc Book in oicUt to liecord there votes 
and proceedings in tlie l)ividiii<i- A settlin<; said Town accordiii"; to (lie 
said Courts Direetioii. 

4tli N'otedThat lie a Coimiiitte to i;ei)air to said Tow iisiii], 

(Jjaiifed as aforesaid and i.ay Out Sixty Three Home Lotts in manner as 
the said (irantees .shall Direct. 

:.th Voted That the above said shall l.e ot tlie Nuniher ot six 

men and tliat any tour of them shall lie a <^)oriim 

(ith Voted that ('ajit. .loseph Tisdale. Lieut .lohn Harvey. Kns. Setii 
Suniiier. .>[r Josepli Eddy. .Mr Kdniond Andrews and .Mr Kl.enezer Dean 
l)e the Cominittee to Proceed in the s^' affair. 

Tth Voted That the Coinmittee atforesaid he fully ini]iowered to 
iniploy Surveyors & Chain men and two ax men to assist in la,\ inn' out 
the Home Ijotts in said New '{'ownship, uiion the proprietors Cost iV 

Sth N'oted That the Commi tiee alforesaid Lay out fiie Sixty t hree 
home Lofts aecordin,;; to the Direction of the (ieneial < ouit, Each LotI 
not to exeed fifty a«-res: nor less than ten acres to Kacli Home J>ott: 
.Vnd to proiHirtion the same according to (,)uality that so Kach Lott may 
he of Equal value, as also to ajipoint a suitahle iilace for the meetiiiL; 
house and Lay a Convenient Koad (u- Itoads Throu-h tlu' said Town; and 
lay the Lofts ill the most Defensible manner as may !)»■: also Layout a 
Convenient Trainini^- field and IJuryiiiL; i)laie Near tlie Meeting; House 
jilatt, as also lay out a convenient place (if any there be) Near to or with- 
in said home Lofts f(u- a a saw mill and a (irist .Mill 

'.Ifh Voted that the intervail Lands or so much as the said Commit- 
tee Think tiff be laid Out info Sixfy three Lotts That so eacli proprietcu' 
may have his Loff : and the Same to b.> allottetl and laid out tor <,)uality 
by the Committee afforesaid: .\nd the said Committee to i.idcui-e a Plan 
of the survey of bofh the home Lotts A- intervail Land to thcsaidi.ro- 
prietors at a meetin.u warned for tliat Knd, as also number the said Lotts 
both of upland A- intervail with tlie sexcral lloiindarics of eacji Lott set 
forth in rheir Said Plaff & Pefurn. 

loth Voted that the comiuiftec aloresai-l Lay out tlie >aid home 
Lotts and alof Hie Intervail as aforesaid: fully Compleat and linishthe 
Trust Pejiosed in them, and make their b'cl urn to (he said pro]iiictois by 
the twentieth Day of .lune Next. iiiOrd.'r the same maybe Kecoidcd in 
the Clerks Office of said propriety: In Order Lacli One may Draw his L'e- 
spective Lott: and may take a Due lease to comjily with .V fullill the 
Order of the (Jri'at ct (Jeneral Court lliereon. 



;64 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CKLEIJRATION. 



1 Itli N'otcd lli;it the six Ciiniiittcc ;it1uivs;ii<l shall \v.\\v tlic stun nf 
I'wrlvc Sliilliii<;s per I):i.v iillowoi and Paid U, cacli ot tlicin tortlicir time 
A- Expense in Layinji said Town Sliiji and tliaf the said Conniuttee allow 
and pay at tin- i)r()i)iietors cost and cliarjie the snni ot litteen Shillin;;s 
I'er Day to eaeh Snrveyor foi- his time and Exi)cnee in Laying < )ut said 
Town Slii)» and also allow it j.ay Ea<h chainman and eaeii ax man the 
snni of Ten Sliillin-s and no more jxt Day for his time and Expense. 

iL'th N'ote.l that each i.i-oprietor pay tor one whole l.'i.uht the siiju 
of Thirty Shillin<;s to tli<' proprietors Clerk: and l.y him to he paid "to 
('apt. .Fosfidi Tisdale to enable said Committee to no forward and Com- 
l.leat There Trnst. the said thirty shillin.us to ea.di ri.uht to he j.aid as 
aforesaid— by the twentielii ..f Aprill next: and said Clerk to Keej) a fair 
itecord of .said payments: said snm to he i.aid l.y said Ti.sdale lowar.l 
the Cost and Char-e of tlie allotment of said Lands. 

l:lth \'oted that the Clerk of said propriety for the future shall He 
anil is fully Imjjowered upon application to Inm made l»y live ])ropiietors 
or (rrantees Desirinu a luopriet.us nu'ctin-. and Iheie in sett fortli Ih.' 
time. ].lace and Oeation of such meelin-. Tlie said Clerk is forth with 
< h'dered to warn a nieetin<;' of said projuietors by posttiuLi "p a notilica- 
tion at the :\Ieetin^- house in sd Taunton: and tlu'rein sett forth tiu' time 
place A- ( )cation of sncli meeting, allways allow inii fourteen days Notilica- 
tion to said Projuietors 

i4lli \'ote(l That ('apt .losepii Tisdale. 1 )e,icou Samuel Sumner, with 
our present Cleik be Desired to Draw the foreooiu- votes in Oriler: aud 
thatthe.N bea c(.mnnttee fnll.\ Impowcn^d to present the same tolhc 
lion' Committee of the said Couit: and I'ray b.r riiere allow ance : and 
the said Clerk to attest the sauu' a true .oj.py Aud then the said meetiuL; 
was adjouriH'd untill tlie third Day i>f february next at One of the Ch.ck 
in the after noon and at sd tiuie to meet at tlie school house in said Taun- 
ton 

The forteen forc(.oiim voles is a true Cojipx of the ri-.M-eedin-is of 
said meelin.u 

Attest .lames Williams l'i<.prietors ( 'leik 
I'o The Moil' C.uumillce of the Cciieial Court:— 

We the subscribers Committee of t he ( J lailtees. Humbly I'lesent the 
buirti'eiMore (o.iuL; \'otes to ^•ou|■ lion. an<l I'ray the same may be al- 
lowed : thai the same Pass on b'ecor.l. 
Jan. I.-.. 17:!(;. 



.losei.h 'I'isdah 



Samuel Sumner . Coiiimilt. 
.lames Williams'! 

At a .Meetin- ot the ( 'ommit tec ,,f llie (Jeiieral Court .laiiuar.v ISIh 
iT:!(lTlie wilhiii \oles of the lu-ojuiet ois of t he ( i rantces nt the Town- 
ship ( oaiiled to a number ..t Hie Inhabitanls of Taunlon is allowed aud 



APPENDIX. ^65 

;iplir..vi'(l uf l.y lis tlic siihsdiln'is. tlioy Knisiiio- tlu- woid (lilaiik) in tlu- 
touitli A- litrli vnfo, ;ui<l Kli.siliu flic v<.tc tor IJyiii.n 'I'lu- Kc.oid Px.ok tlie 
r,,iiiiuiftcc llaviiiu pruvidi'.l tin- same 

III the Name A- liy Ordir of flic Coiniiiif (i-i- 
Will Diulli-y 
Tliis i.'ccoi-dcd This (iffli Day nf Maivh lT:!r. 

I'.y im- 

.laiiu's Williams Piopcr. ClciU. 

Fi'liruary -id IT-'Ki. Tlu' iiUH'fiiiji adjouiiicd from flit' foiutiH'iitli of 

.lamiaiy I7:!<i 'i'liis day iiii't at-cordiii^ to adjourniiit'iit and flu-ii tin- sd 

iiicctiiii; was adjoiinied unto flic twenty third Day of fcliriiary instant at 

one of the Clock in the afternoon: and thereto meet in sai<l School House 

At The Adjonrunient Fchriiary "J^id IT^Jii met accordinjily 

]ly A^oted that the foref-oin.i; votes with the Iloni'' C'onunittee of the 

(ieiua-al Courts allowance. IJe l!ec(M-ded as they \o\v staiul amended 

•2b' Voted That tlK.se persons that are in aliear for former Charge 
for preferrinji tlie jictifion to the (ieneral Coui't and in viewing the laud, 
now (Jranted, shall pay there a Hear to Capt Josei)li Tisdalc to make up 
tiftccn shillings to Each Hioht for the said Char.ne with what is all IJeady 
Paid; and then the said meetinii was Dissolved 

James Williams Propr Clerk 

At a meetinji of the Proprietors of the (rrantees of the Township No. 
1 on the west side of Connecticutt Hiver lieyan at 'J'aunton Sciiool 
House the Eleventh Day of Aprill IT:!" 

Lej^ally warned and meet 

and came into the following \'otes \'iz 

1st Made t hoice of Deacon Samuel Sumner .Moderator for said meet- 
ing- and then the said nieetin<; was adjourned to the dwellino' house of 
Capt .loscph Tisdalc and there to meet forty minutes after twelve of 
riock on this present day — And there meet accordinj^' to adjournment. 

I'd Voted that a Rate or assesment he made on said proprietors 
for the Catherino in the Tliirty Shillin<-s to Each liiKht as voted the 
fourteenth day of January Last; with the aRear voted fehruary :;d 1T;!(>. 

•ily Voted that Capt Josej)!! Tisdale James Williams and Seth 
Staples he assesors to make sueh Rates or assessments as are oi- sliall he 
agreed upon for this present year hy said proprietois 

4 Voted that Mr Jonathan I'adelfoid Jnn he Collector for sai.l 
propriety the year next ensuing 

"j Voted That s'd collector shall have the sum of twelve i)ence upon 
the pound for Siitherino and collecting- such assesments as shall he out 
Standing from and after the lirst Day of May next; and said assessors 
are directed to deliver no assesments to said eollector until the said first 



T,66 OIIARTF.K MIT.T.F.NNIAI. CELEBRATION. 

Day of M;iy; And suid assesors arc to make an Addition of tlie s>uni ot 
twelve pence npon Each pound and so in ]>ioportion for a lessor or 
Greater sum for the payment of the Collector: upon Each Kight as shall 
not be paid by the said first day of May next: To the Treasurer of saifi 
propriety: and said Treasurer to Keep a fair Kecord of all such payments 
to him made as aforesaid: or to be paid to our Clerk aj^reable to tlu- 
Vdte of the fourteenth of January r^ast 

(■) Voted That James Williams be Treasurer for the ensuinji' year. 

7 Voted That the first Monday of Aprill yearly, and anualy be & 
shall be a day for making' Choice of OflScers Necessary for said propri- 
ety: and the Clerk is to post up a notification thereof at Taunton meet" 
injj' house yearly fourteen Days at least before said meeting 

8 Voted that the said Committee is forbid the perambulation of 
the out side liines of said Townsliip at the time of there a Lottmentof 
the Home Lotts and then the (Question was I'utt whether the said pro- 
prietors will petition the Great and General Court for some addition to 
there said Township: and then it was voted that said article Be Refered 
lo tlie next meeting of said propriety: and that the Clerk Ensert this ar- 
ticle in the next meeting and in the meantime Lieut Eliphlet Leonard be 
Desired to make Emjuiry in said affair and to procure such coppys of 
the survey of the Equivelant Lands as shall be necessary from the Plat 
and Return of the Eiiuivelaiit Land as may sett the affair in a true Light> 
and the proprietors to be at the Cost of Coppying such Records 

9 Voted that the ('ommittee be sworn to the faithfidl Discharge 
of the Trust Reposed in them by the said propiietors in Lotting the 
home Lotts and Enteivail according to the votes of the proprietors: and 
that the Surveyors and Cliainmen and axmen be Like wise sworn to the 
laithfuU Discharge of there Trust 

10 Voted that Lieut Morgan Cobb be added to the Committee in 
the Room and stead of Mr Edward Andrews — Andrews Declaring his 
non acceptance, and said Cobb to be allowed as a Purveyor and Commit- 
tee man fifteen .Shillings per Day for his time & Expence and in said 
meeting said Cobb Declared his acceptance of said choice 

11 Voted that the Treasurer shall pay all i)ayments to him made of 
the thirty Shillings to Each Right to the five Committee or tlie n)ajor 
partot them taking a Receipt for the same and said Committte to be ac- 
countable for the same to the proprietors afioresaid 

iL' Voie<l that the assesors, uptm Capt Tisdales i)resenting his ac- 
(;ount to them of former aRears and they allowing the same shall make 
there assesment upon Defective persons accordingly 

1:5 Voted that all persons that have paid in thirty shillings with 
the aHear to Each right to the Treasurer for said propiiety s"d assesors 
are to cross out or Cliancell there names before they Deliver there Rate 
Stieake to the Collector 



APPENDIX. 367 

14 Voted tliat all i)ers()iis that have any thiuu; Due to them for for- 
mer services for viewing the Land petitioned for, whose accounts have 
heen formerly allowed by the proprietors as (Committee men or agents 
shall have the same Discounted in there assessment or so far as theie 
proportion is to pay towanl said assesnient they Giveing a Keceipt To 
the Treasnier before said first Day of May that they have Received the 
said sum of the assesnient 

and then flame into said meeting the lion" Seth Willard Es<ir who 
adminestred an oatli to Mr Morgan Cobb, John Harvey, Seth Sumner, 
Joseph Eddy and Ebenezer Dean to the Discharge of there Trust accord- 
ing to the vote, Jonathan padelford Jur: and Seth Tisdale riiainmen : all 
whicli persons Declared there acceptance of there ('lu«ice liesiicctively 

and then said meeting was Dissolved 

Kecorded Aprill 12th 17o7 

James Williams Proprietcfts Clerk 

The Xames of Those Persons that ware admitted Grantees or pro- 
prietors of The Townshij) No 1 on the west side of Connecticut River 
whom the Hon Committee of tlie General Court admitted the Ninteenth 
Day of November ll'M: which s'd persons gave IJonds licspectively for 
performance of the conditions of said (hant: A'iz. 

Josepli Tisdale 

Joseph Tisdale in the Right of John Crosman 

Joseph Tisdale on the Right of Josepli Jones 

Joseph Tisdale on the Right of Benjamin Crosman 

Joseph Tisdale on the Right of Jeremiah Wittnell 

Joseph Tisdale on the Right of Samuel Darby 

Joseph Tisdale on the Right of Stephen VVilbore 

Samuel Sumner 

Samuel Sumner in the Right of Benjamin Willis 

Benjamin Ruggles in the Right of Henry Richmond 

James Williams 

Thomas Clap Nickols Stephens 

Eliphelett Leonard William Hodges I'd 

Dito of Henry Hodges 

Dito of Franes Liscomb 

Dito of Stephen Wood 

Thomas Clap Samuel Pratt 

Seth Staples John Andrews 

Seth Sumner 

Seth Sumnei- in the Right ol Isaac Merick 

James Leonaitl 

Morgan Cobb 2d 

Edmund Andrews 



368 



QUARTER MH.LENNIAF. CF.I.EBR ATIOX. 



mittiul ( 



John Ilaivey 

James Leonard 'Ml 

Edward lilakt- 

Josiah Linkon 

Jo.s.'pl) Willis 

Kliakini Walker 

Jonathan PadelfoKJ 

Dito 

Dito 

Joseph Barney 

John Smith 2d 

Joseph Wilbore 

Jonathan Barney 

Ebenezer Dean 

James Walker 

Ebenezer Smith 

Joseph Eddy 

James Leonard I'll 

Joseph Tisdah; on 

Dito 

Joseph Tisdale, Jnn. 
in the Kiuht of 

James Walker, Jnn.. 

Joseph Eddy. 

Eliphelet Leonard. 

James Leonarrl. 
Dito 

Ezra Dean. 

Morf^an Cobb, 2d, 

Ebenezer Dean. 

Ephriam Dean, 

William Ware, 

Samuel Sumner. 

James Williams. 

Joseph Eddy, 

John Harvy, 

Ebenezer Cobb. 

Israll Ti.sdall, 
List on the other side 
irantees in the Towiisl 



Thomas Taiikon .'.d 
Samuel Williams 



Thomas (Jilbert 



John Tisdale 
.loseph Drak.' 

Robert Woodward. 
James Walker. 
Nathaniel Caswell. 
William Ila.skins. 
David Cobb. 
Morgan TJobb. 

Simion Cobb, 
.loseph Hichmoml. 

William Thayer. 
Stephen Maiombei 
Abrani Tisdale. 
William Leonard. 
Stephen (iray, 



Uiver.on th 



etilion U 



■out: 
ipN 



saitl i»etition or by thei 
t( November lT->t). 

Kecord April llJIli \T-'>1 
by James Williams \>io\n- rle 



lins the persons names who ware a<l- 
1). I : on the west side of Connecticult 
ral Court and named: also in there 
lu in launton A.: admitted this lUth 



. Dudley by Order of the Com- ( 
ittei' lor this purpose. ) 



APPENDIX. 



369 



The Acompt of Capt James Leonard for money. 

Expended at Boston. 
The account of Capt Tisdale for vie\vin<^ the line of 

Town 12 Days 
and for one Pilott, 
The accompt of Mr. Andrews for his travell in s'd 

affairs 
To Mr. Clapp going to Boston 
To f!apt Tisdale going to Concord 
for Deacon Sumner 
for I.iuet Eliphelet Leonard & Mr Joseph Eddy 22 2 

44 Ki 
This voted and allowed tlie articles above by The petitioners in 
meeting for that purpose. 

JOSEPH TISDALE 
This recorded May 4th 1737 
by James Williams propr Cleik. 



2 
)(! 


IS 
(t 





1 


•"' 


'■' 


(i 

1 


II 
10 


(1 



;] 


;J 


s 


1 


10 


4 



Capt Tisdales account 
Township have paid of form 
whom 



of what the proprietors of Taunton New 
er aliearstohim & what is ytt due and from 







Paid 


Due 






s d 


s d 


Joseph Tisdale 




].j 




Dito on the Right of 


John Grossman 


1.") 




Dito on 


Joseph Jones 


15 




Dito on 


Benjamin Crossman 


15 




Dito on 


Jeremiah Wittwell 


15 




Dito on 


Samuel Darby 


15 




Dito on 


Stephen Wilbore 


15 




Dito on 


John Smith 


15 




Samuel Sumner 




15 




Dito on 


Benjamin Willis 


15 




Dito on 


Stephen Macomber 


15 




Mr. Benjamin Ruggles 


on Henry Richmond 


10 


5 


James Williams 




('> 


1) 


Dito on 


Abraham Tisdale 


15 




Mr Thomas Clap 


Nicholas Stephens 


15 




Dito on 


Samuel Pratt 


(i 


y 


Eliphelet Tieonard 


William Hodges 


15 




Dito 


Henry Hodges 


15 


* 


Dito 


Frances liiscomb 


15 




Dito 


William Haskins 


15 




Dito 


Stei)hen Wood 


15 





370 



QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEHRATION. 



Paid 



Due 



Seth Staples oii tlio R 


<;lit of John Andrews 


ir> 




.Seth Sumner 




2 (i 


12 


Dito 


Isaac JNIerick 


15 




("apt Jnincs Leonard 




1", 




Uito 


Morgan Cobb 


1.-. 




Dito 


David Cobb 


i:. 




James r^eonard :]d 




ir, 




Edward Blake 




(i 11 


> 


Jonathan Padelford J 


nr. 


ir, 




Dito 


Thomas Linkon :!d 


N 


7 


Dito 


Samuel Williams Jiuw 


r 11 :! 


•■; 


Dito 


Josiah Linkon 


ir, 




Dito 


Joseph AVillis 


in 




Dito on 


Kliakim Walker 


in 




Joseph Wilbore 




m 




Jonathan Barney 




15 




Ebenezer Dean 




2 (5 


12 


Joseph Barney 






15 


Ebenezer Dean 


Joseph Richmond 




15 


James Walker Jur 








Dito 


James Walker 






Ebenezer Smith 


Thomas Gilbert 







Joseph Eddy 








Dito 


Nathaniel Cogswell 






Joseph Eddy 


William Leonard 






Dito 


Edmund Andrews 






Joseph Tisdale Jur. 


John Tisdale 






Dito 


Robert Woodward 






Dito 


Joseph Drake 






Ezra Dean 








Morgan Cobb -Jd 




2 V, 


12 


Dito 


Simion Cobb 




15 


Ephraim Dean 




1 


14 


William Ware 


William Thayer 


2 (' 


12 


John Harvey 




1 b 


<» 


Dito 


Stephen Gary 




15 


Ebenezer Cobb 




1 


1-i 


Israel Tisdale 




15 




James Leonard 2d 




2 ( 


12 



APPENDIX. 371 

The account of Capt Tisdale onr foimer Clerk of what each man 
hatli paid to y* former arrears and what is yett due from eacli proprie- 
tor Examined by us 

JAMES LEONARD ) 
Dated May 8d 1737 E. EZRA DEAN, > Committee 

SAMTTEL STTMNER ) 
Itecorded May 6th 1737 by 

James Williams propr Clevk. 

We have also Examined said Tisdales account further and find he 
hath Rec'd of the proprietors on the account of former 
arrears: t'2l = 15s=ld 

and have paid out to those that have served the propr 

in viewing & Obtaining said Township 21 = 8=0 

and there is still in Capt Tisdales hands £9=0=7 

We also find that Joseph Eddy hath due to Rallance 5=10 — 

and to Eliphelet Leonard 7=4=6 

To Deacon Sumner •* 0=9=4 

And we find that the aRears which are not yett paid to 
said Tisdale are as on the other side £9=10=5 

Also we find that Capt Tisdale ought to be allowed by the Treasurer 
lis — Od pd by s'd Tisdale for Eliakim Walker. These accounts we have 
also examined at the same time as within mentioned 
Attest 

JAMES LEONARD / 

EZRA DEAN > Committee 

SAMUEL SUMNER ) 

At a meeting of the proprietors of the Township No. 1 on the w^est 
side of Connecticutt River warned and held at the schole house in Taun- 
ton on the 20th Day of May 1737 and then came unto the following votes 
viz 

1— Voted that Mr Samuel Sumner be s'd Moderator for s'd meeting 

2— Voted that the whole number of the Committee Surveyors & 
Chainmen & Pilots that shall be iniployed upon the proprietors Cost in 
the aLottment shall not exceed the number of Eleven men of which two 
of them shall be surveyors and imployed as Surveyors in said a Lott- 
ments. 

3— Voted that the whole number of the Committee all Ready chosen 
Except Leiut. Morgan Cobb shall be and are fully impowered and 
chosen Chain Men; and that Jonathan Padelford Jur all Ready chosen 
a Chainman be added to the Committee and that each of them shall 
have the sum of twelve shillings per day for their time & Expense as 
was voted the Committee on the fourteenth of January Last 

4— Voted that the major part of the Committee that Repair to the 
a Lottment of said Townshii) and all present at said shall be a Quorum 



372 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

to Determine The a Lottment A: to act in tlie whole affair as submitted 
to the Committee the fourteenth of January I^ast. 

5 — Voted that James AVilliams be added to the Committee and also 
That he be one of the surveyors and that he shall Receive no more for 
his time than fifteen shillings per Day for his time & Expense, and snid 
Williams Declared his non acceptance of his choice in said meetinij. 

(5 — Voted that Decon .Samuel Sumner he added to the Comniittee 
& be also imployed as a Chain Man in the a Lottment of said Tovvnshiit 
as allKeady voted and that he have for his time and Exjjense the sum of 
twelve Shillinos Per day and no more. 

And then the said meeting was dissolved 

Record May 26th 1737 
James Williams Propr Clerk. 

At a meeting of the proprietors of the township Number one on the 
west side of the Connecticutt River Legally meet at the School house in 
Taunton on Monday the Eleventh Day of July A. D. 17:17 and the'! Canu- 
into the following votes 

1 — The said proprietors made choice of Mr Thomas Clap Moderator 
for said meeting by the major part of the votes; each one voting accord- 
ing to his interests 

2— Voted That the Piatt ct lieturn Presented by the Committee lie 
accepted and the Return Recorded in said proprietors Book 

3 — Voted that this meeting be adjourned nntill six o'Clock This af- 
ternoon; and then meet accordingly. 

4— Voted that the sum of Eleven pounds Be Raised upon said pro- 
prietors in Due proportion in full Ballance of the account of said Com- 
mittee & Surveyor and that the assessors be directed to make an assess- 
ment for the same. 

'j — Voted that Mr Thomas Clap the Moderator Draw Each house 
Lott it intervail Lott for Each Respective Person that have paid his pro- 
portion to former charges; or that have satisfied the Committee his just 
Part of said Cost & Charge. 

6 — Voted that there be a Committee Chosen to take into Considera- 
tion what method will be most proper for said proprietors to take in 
building a saw mill and a Gristmill and make report at the adjournment 
of this nieeting to said proprietors and in the mean time Receive the 
proposalls of any Person or I'ersons that are willing to take said mill ()r 
mills to build, and that the Committee shall Consist of the numbei- of Jive 
men, and the per.sons chosen waie Mr. Thomas Clap Capt. Joseph 'I'isdale, 
Leiut John Harvey, Leiut Eliphelett Leonard and Jonathan Barney, and 
then the said meeting was adjourned unto the first Monday of Sept. next 
at one of the Clock in the afternoon ife there to meet at said School 
house precisely at s'd hour. 

{{ecorded Sept :!d 1737 James Willian"is ]troi»r Clerk. 



APPENDIX. 373 

.Si'iitcmbcr ."jtli llol being tlic lirst Tuqsday of said nioiitli. The 
meeting <^f the township No. 1 adjourned t'loni the Eleventh oi' -Inly last 
meet according to adjouinment Then said meeting was adJourne<l to 
the Dwelling house of Capt Joseph Tisdale and there to meet at Three 
O'clock This aftcinoon: and then said meeting meet accordingly. 

The Projii ietors agreed and voted that the following persons That 
have given Bonds to the Committee of the General Court and are ad- 
mitted settlers in the Townsliip number one (m the west side of Cont 
River, shall be Esteamed and accounted the Original Owners of so many 
Rights as he hath Given Boutls to settle, and Every Lott that shall be 
Drawn in the Division of said Township shall be drawn in the names or 
nights of the said Original owners: and in order to Distinguish one Right 
from one another Every Right is Distinguished by Number and every 
inoprietor shall have The Number or Numbers that are affixed to theie 
Respective names. 

This is transcribed on the other side with the names of those — 
who Bougiit in there I-otts Respectively. 

Voted that Mr Thomas Clap Mr Sanil Sumner James Williams Ksqr. 
& Edward Blake be a Committee to Rccon with tlie 'treasurer. Collector 
i^'/'ommittce of tliis Propriety, and make Repoit to s'd i)rop]ietors at 
the adjournment of this meeting who is indebted to them and to wlu)m 
the same is due liespvctively. And then said meeting was adjourned 
untill Monday the :^(i D.iy of .Sept Currant at One O'Clock in the after- 
noon to meet at the sehoole house in said Taunton and Al.so That the 
Clerk I'ost up a Notification at the Meetinghouse, and There in sett 
forlli that the said jtroprietors are to Bring in Tlieic Lotts in Order the 
same may Be Becorded 

I.'eeorded Sept ."jth ITMT by James Williams Clerk 

.Vt a meeting held by adjouinment fioni the Eleventh of July to the 
fifth of September, and Continued by adjournment until' Sept 2()th meet 
accordingly: and there the Proprietors agreed and vottil that the follow- 
ing That liave Given Bond to the Committee of the General Court tV: are 
admitted settlers in the Township No. ] on the west side of the Con- 
necticntt Biver shall be l';sleamed A- accounted the Originall owners of 
so many Itights as he hath Given Bond to settle. And Every Lott that 
shall be drawn in the Division of said Townshi]) shall be Drawn in the 
Names or Rights of the said Original owners, and in order to Distinguish 
one Bight from another Every Right is lurcby Distinguished by number: 
one, two, three &c and every proprietor shall have the number that are 
affixed to there Bespeetive Names 

Right 
Capt Josei)h Tisdale 1 Drawcd 7 house I>ott 5;J Intervail Lott 
Joseph Tisdale 2 Drawed 'j.2 house Lott n:! Intervail Lott 
Dito :! Drawed 'i:) house Lott 22 Intervail Lott 



374 



OUAKTEK MILLENNIAL CELE15KATION. 







Rioht. 




Dito 


4 


Dravved .Jt) house Lott 21 Intervail Lott 




Ditto 


5 


Drawed 'M house Lott 20 Intervail Lott 




Ditto 


t) 


Drawed 41 house Lott 19 Intervail Lott 




Ditto 


7 


Drawed 42 house Lott 50 Intervail Lott 




.lolin Smith 


8 


Drawed 47 house Lott 55 Intervail Lott 


Ml 


1' Samuel Sumner 


!) 


Drawed 25 house Lott 7 Intervail Lott 




Ditto 


10 


Drawed 11 house Lott 24 Intervail Lott 


Ml 


I- Benjamin ltu<;<tlcs 1 1 


Drawed 38 house Lott 81 Intervail Lott 




James Williams 


12 


Drawed 31 house Lott 29 Intervail Lott 




Ditto 


i:] 


Drawed 49 house Lott 40 Intervail Lott 


Ml 


i- Tlioinas Claj) 


14 


Drawed 52 house Lott 27 Intervail Lott 




Ditto 


15 


Drawed 33 house Lott 28 Intervail Lott 


Ml 


lElipiielct Leonard l(i 


Drawed 1(5 house Lott 12 Intervail Lott 




Ditto 


17 


Drawed 3 house Lott 51 Intervail Lott 




Ditto 


IS 


Drawed 53 house Lott 8 Intervail Lott 




Ditto 


I'J 


Drawed 8 house Lott 4 Intervail Lott 




Ditto 


20 


Drawed 27 house Lott 60 Intervail Lott 




Seth Staples 


21 


Drawed 13 house Lott 37 Intervail Lott 


En 


IS Seth Sumner 


22 


Drawed 59 house Lott 10 Intervail Lott 




Ditto 


2;J 


Drawed 12 house Lott 9 Intervail Lott 


(':i 


l)t James Leonard 


24 


Drawed 46 house Lott 41 Intervail Lot) 


Ml 


r Moi <;an Cobb 2d 


20 


Drawed 39 house Lott 47 Intervail Lott 




Edmond Andrews 


1 2C. 


Drawed 51 house Lott 5 Intervail Lott 


Ml 


• John llai vey 


27 


Drawed 54 house Lott 32 Intervail Lott 




James Leonaid o 


28 


Drawed 10 house Lott 22 Intervail Lott 


Ens P^dwaid Blake 


2U 


Drawed 58 house Lott 11 Intervail Lott 




Joseph Willis 


oO 


Drawed 19 house Lott 16 Intervail Lott 




Eliakim Walker 


;5i 


Drawed IS house Lott 43 Intervail Lott 




Josiali Linkon 


:!2 


Drawed 35 house Lott 34 Intervail Lott 


.lonathaii Padeltdi d J 


ur .■]■ 


:j Drawed 56 house Lott 3 Intervail Lott 




Ditto 


.•]4 


Drawed 45 house Lott 59 Intervail Lott 




Ditto 


:;.") 


Drawed 29 house Lott 57 Intervail Lott 




Joseph Barney 


;;() 


Drawed 63 house Lott 53 Intervail Lott 




Joseph WilboK! 


■■>7 


Drawad 30 house Lott 26 Intervail Lott 




-Jonathan Barney 


;{8 


Diawed 32 house Lott 34 Intervail Lott 




Ebenezcr Dean 


:Jlt 


Drawed 26 house Lott 15 Intervail Lott 




James Walker 2d 


40 


Drawed 34 house Lott 35 Inteivail Lott 




Ebcnezer Smith 


41 


Drawed 60 house Lott 61 Inteivail Lott 




Joseph Eddy 


42 


Drawed 61 house Lott 13 Intervail Lott 




James Leonard 2d 


4.) 


Drawed 4 house Lott 46 Intervail Lott 




Joseph Tisdale Jui 


■44 


Drawed 1 house Lott 40 Intervail Lott 




Ditto 


to 


Drawed 48 house Lott 38 Intervail Lott 




Ditto 


-l(i 


1)1 awe.] 4i> house Lott 39 Intervail Lott 



James Walker 2d 


47 


-Joseph Eddy 


4S 


L'apt James Leonard 


41) 


Ditto 


50 


Ezi a Uean 


51 


Lint Morgan Cobb 


'>•! 


Ebenezer Dean 


Oo 


Ephiiam Dean 


.34 


AVilliam Waie 


55 


Samuel Sumner 


50 


Joseph Eddy 


57 


John Harvey 


58 


EbcnezerCobh 


5U 


Israel Tisdale 


00 


1 Ministers Ri-;ht 


(U 


L' Ministers 


02 


School 


(i:! 



APPENDIX. 375 

Kio-ht. 

Drawed 17 house J^ott o() Intervail Eott 
Drawed 62 house Lott 14 Intervail Lott 
Drawed 44 house Lott 17 Intervail Lott 
Drawed 6 house Lott 44 Intervail Lott 
Drawed \) house Lott oO Intervail Lott 
Drawed 4o house Lott 48 Intervail Lott 
Drawed 20 house Lott 18 Intervail Lott 
Drawed 5 house Lott 58 Intervail Lott 
Drawed 28 house Lott Intervail Lott 
Drawed 2 house Lott 50 Intervail Lott 
Drawed 57 house Lott 2 Intervail Lott 
Drawed 55 house Lott 33 Intervail Lott 
Drawed 21 house Lott 45 Intervail Lott 
Drawed 50 house Lott 42 Intervail Lott 
Drawed 24 house Lott 1 Intervail Lott 
Drawed 15 house Lott 02 Intervail Lott 
Drawed 14 house Lott 03 Intervail Lott 

And then it was voted that the Clerk of said Proprietors Record the 
t'()re<;oin,i;- as it now stands on this Book 

Attest James Williams Pro]»r Clerk 

And ihcu the Committee appointed the Eleventh of July last made a 
Ifcport according to Order Ilelatiuft- to That article of Building- of the 
.Mills which b'epoitisas followeth viz 

We the Subscribers being Chosen a Conimitte to considei' of some 
jiroper meathod foi- the proprietors of the Township Number One on tlie 
west, side of Connecticutt River to Gett a Saw Mill & a Grist Mill built 
ill said Township it make Report &e 

Accordingly we have taken the premises into Serious Consideration 
Do agree to Report as followeth — That any person or persons that are 
willing to uudertake the building of said mills shall give a valuable bond 
Willi sufficient security to the treasurer of said proprietors or to his suc- 
cessors in said Office for the use of said proprietors That he or they will 
truly & faithfully build a Good Saw Mill upon that brook or stream 
which the pioprietors have aLotted out for the use ife benefit of said 
juoprietors at or before tlie first Day of October anno Domini 1738 and 
shall saw all sorts of Bords & slit work for the proprietors after the Rate 
of thirty Shillings per thousand, Each proprietor finding Suitable timber 
at the mill that wants any sawed into bords or slitt work; and that he or 
they will also build a (Jrist Mill upon said Stream within Six Months 
after there is twenty families Settled in said Township and Grind for 
the jnoprietois, taking no more than two quarts out of a bushel; and that 
he or they will Keep up said Mills in good Order and Rejtair for the 



7^y6 OUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

space of tiftccn years next al'tei they are builded, for the scivioe of the 
proprietors ifc Other Inhabitants: and if said mills should be Demolished 
l)y the French or Indian Enemies within the space of seven years after 
they arc builded, the proprietors to pay thirty pounds for each mill that 
shall be so Demolished to the undertakers & they then at their own Cost 
it Charge to build said mills again for said proprietors within one year 
after a peace is concluded with said Enemies, in case it should so happen 
that a war with them should Brake out: and for the incouragement of 
those shall undertake the building of said mills the proprietors shall 
grant to them there heirs &. assigns forever the mill Lott & the stream 
running through it which is all ready Laid Out and they also to have 
tlie mills which they shall build, and they building a mill house upon it 
of Eighteen feet Square & Seven feet stud shall be accounted to them as 
a Settlers Lott; also bring too five acres of Land to inglish Grass, and 
also the undeitakers shall have that peace of Land to there heirs & as- 
signs forever that Lyeth on the south east side of the highway that now 
lies Common, viz that peace of Land between the mill brook A the lower 
Tear of Lotts, also Each proprietor for each right which he holds shall 
])ay to the undertakers twenty Shillings, one half by the first Day of 
March Domi 1737 and the other half when the Grist ftfill is finished. 
September 2(5th 17;)7 

Thos. < lap by j J 

Order ot ye ) 

September 2(Jth I7o7 Head & accepted and voted that said Kejiort be 
Recorded and ('apt James Leonard Capt Joseph Tisdale Lieut Kliphlet 
Leonard Jonathan Paddelford Jun appeared in said meeting & Declared 
that they would undertake & perform the building of said mills agree- 
able to the Report above said : also voted that said Capt. Leonai d Capt. 
Tisdale Eliphlet Leonard & Jonathan Paddelford shall have & hold tlie 
Lands mentioned in said Report to them there heirs & assigns forever as 
also the sum of money in the old currency paid as above s'd upon giving 
security as afforcsaid 

Also voted that there be a Comitte Chosen to Lett out said mills mikI 
take bond of the undertakers agreeable to the Report attoresaid and that 
the Comitte shall Grant to the undertakers by deed of sale all the Lands 
Reported in there favor for building said mills, and the Comitte then 
Chosen was Mr Thomas {;lap Mr Samuel Sumner & James Williams: 
also voted that the sum of thirty pounds be Raised by Rate in Due jior- 
potion upon the proprietors of said Township according to the Right or 
Rights each one enjoys, for the first payment for incouragement of build- 
ing the mills, and that the assors make an assesment for the same in Due 
proportion at or before the first of December next and com mitt the same 
to the Collector: and he to account for it at or before the first day of 
february next with Treasurer of said Township and then the meet- 



APPENDIX. 377 

ing was dissolved: and then the moderator Declared the same Avas Dis- 
solved accordingly 

James Williams Proprietors Clerk 

Kecorded November IDth 1737 by 
James Williams Propr Clerk 

A Return of a survey Begun on the fourth Day of June 1737 and fin- 
ished on the tenth of the same month by us the subscribers 
the Committe Chosen and impowered to Lay out sixty three house Lotts 
and sixty three intervail Lotts with a mill Lott and a bureing place and 
a meeting house platt, according to Divers votes passed at a Legall meet- 
ing warned for that purpose by a number of Inhabitants in the town of 
Taunton who petitioned The Great & General Court of the province of 
the Massachusetts Bay in New England for a Township in some of the 
unapropriated Lands in said province, which petition was answered and 
a Township Granted to said petitioners on the west side of Connecticutt 
River & joyning thereto called & Known by the Name of No. 1. The 
bounds of the house Lotts are as follovveth. (here follows the survey of 
the Township with the private mark of each Grantee and also the survey 
of the training ground and burying place and also a meeting house 
platt. ) 

Said work was done by us the subscribers the proprietors Committee 
Chosen to do .said work. The House Lotts that Joyn on the River viz 
seven tier Lotts There is a highway or landing place of four Rods in 
width a Long by the River from the bank of said River by (^ates or Barrs: 
A: a peace of undivided between the mill brook & the Lower tear of 
Lotts 

July nth 1737 [John Harvey 1 

Then This Return | Joseph Eddy j 

Read allowed and accepted ■{ P]benezer Dean (-Committe 

it voted that the Clerk Record j Jonathan Paddelford Jun | 

the same [ Morgan Cobb Surveyor J 

James Williams Propr Clerk The foregoing Return Recorded 

March 4th 1737 by James Williams 
Proprietors Clerk 

April 3d 1738 In pursuance to a vote of the proprietors of the Tt)\vn- 
ship No. 1: on the west side of Connecticutt River at there meeting 
Aprill nth 1737 it was voted and ordered that the Clerk of said proprie- 
tors yearly & annually should warn a meeting of said proprietors four- 
teen days at Least before the day of said meeting in order to make 
Choice of Officers Necessary for said propriety; which I have done 
agreeable to said vote: and said proprietors are according warned to 
meet at the school house in Taunton on Munday being the third day of 



37^ QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

Aprill \T-'>S by a Xotification ijoslod up at tlu' mootiiifi house iu Taunton 
accordiuf;' to order 

Janu's Williams proper Clerk 

said proprietors being meet aceordinj; Ly 

1 — Made Choice of Mr Samuel Sumner Moderator for s'd nieetinj;. 

2 — James Williams was Clioscn Clerk for the year next ensuinjj' lor 
said propriety. 

• ;] — Made Choice of Mr Samuel Sumner treasurer for the year next 
ensueing. 

4— Made Choice of Mr Thomas Clap Seth Staples & James Williams 
to be assesors for the year next ensueinfi,-. 

Made Choice of Ebenezer Dean Collector for the year next cnsueing. 

5 — Then in said meeting; said dean Refused to serve in said Trust it 
then Joseph Eddy was chosen collector in said Deans Room & Steed, for 
the next ensuing 

(5 — Voted that said proprietors will make choice of Three men for a 
Committe to petition the Great ifc Ceneral Court in the name & behalf of 
said proprietors that they may be enabled by said Court by some act or 
Law to gather such rates or assesments as have been all Ready made & 
remain unpaid; as well as those as shall hear after be made ifc agreed 
ui)on by said proprietors for the speady settelment of the Township Nt). 
1, on the west side of Connecticut River; that so said proprietors may 
bring forward there settelments A fullfill The conditions of the bonds 
(Jiven The Committe of the Great* General Court— And then the Com- 
itte Chosen was Mr Thomas Clap, Mr Samuel Sumner & James Williams 

and then the meeting was dissolved tV: the Moderator declared The 
meeting was dissolved accordingly 

James Williams propyieiurs Cirri,- 

June iL'th I7;]y Then Mr Samuel Sumner appeared »& was sworn to 
the offiiie of Treasurer for said i)roprietors before 

James Williams Justice of the Peace 

May 2Sth 17.7J At a prt)prietors meeting warned and held at the 
Schoole House in Taunton of the proprietors of the Township Number 
One, on the west side of Connecticutt River To do & act what they shall 
think jjroper Touching the several artiides following: 

I— To (;luise a proprietors Clerk Committee Treasurer assesors Col- 
lector &c 

2— Whether the proi)rietors will by way of Rate or otherwise make 
some allowance or consideration to a number of those that will first 
Build there Dwelling houses on there house Lotts & be Leading in the 
fulfilling of the condition of their said Grant: 



APPENDIX. 379 

o Whether the propiietors will agree to fence their liitiMvale Lotts 
or so many of them as sVl proprietors shall think fitt into one or nu)re 
(ieneral fieltl, or fields as also such Other Lotts as butt on said River 

1 — The Moderator then Chosen was Capt James Leonard 

2 — James Williams was Chosen proprietors Clerk for said Township 

3b' Voted that Lieut Morgan Cobb, Ens Edward Blake, & Mr Joseph 
Eddy be a Committe to take effectual Cflre that all & each proprietor or 
Cranteee of said Township No 1. that have not paid there proportion to 
former Rates & taxes Granted and agreed upon, or that shall this present 
year be Granted & agreed upon by said proprietors for Bringing forward 
the Settlement of said Township, by pursuing the Law of this province 
on Delinquent proprietors in such cases made and provided 

4iy— Treasurer Chosen for this present year is Mr James Walker 
Junor 

5th — Collector Chosen for this present year is Mr Seth Staples 

6b" — the assesors Chosen for said year 1739 ware Lieut John Harvey 
James Williams & Joseph Eddy 

71.V — Voted that Mesrs Thomas Clap James Williams John Hai vey 
Joseph Eddy & Seth Staples be a Commitee to take into consideration 
what sum or sums will be proper for said proprietors to Raise by way of 
Rate, or what other encouragements will be proper for said proprietors 
to make to a certain number of the first settlers as are leading in the 
settlement of there Grants, and said Comm.ittee to make report of there 
opinion to s'd proprietors what will be best to do thereon, at the ad- 
journment of this meeting and this article is adjourned to that time 

S — Voted that said Committee also Take into Consideration what 
will be best and most convenient for said proprietors to do about fencing 
llieir Intervale Lotts into one or more field or fields and such other Lotts 
as do butt upon the River — and said Committe to make Report at the 
adjoiu-nment of this meeting 

and then said meeting was adjourned by vote to Munday the Elcventli 
Day of June next & there to meet at twelve of the Clock in s'd Day at 
said schoole house in Taunton and the Moderator Declared s'd meeting 
was adjourned accordingly 

Janu's Williains [iropr Cler 

The proprietors meeting adjourned from the 28th Day of May I73'.i to 
the Eleventh Day of June 173!i then meet according to adjournment & 
then the said meeting was adjoiu'ued l)y vote from the sclioole house in 
taunton to the Dwelling house of Captn Joseph Tisdale tt then to- meet 

immediately it the proprietors Did accordingly meet and tlien 

the Report of the Committee Ciiosen the 2Sth of May was Read to sum 
incouragements to a numl)er of proprietors who should first Repair to sd 
town ship it build there house &<.■ which Report is as folh)wetii viz 



380 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

Tlie Coniinittfo ChosLMi tlu- 2Sth of .M;iy IT-!'.M.. take iiitd consiiU'ia- 
lidii wiiat sum (H- suins of inoiK'v will be proper for s'd proprietors to 
Kais by way of Kate: or wliaf other iiuouraffement will be proper for sd 
proprietors to make to a eertain number of the first settlers: and such 
others as will be leading in the first setling of there Grants: we have duly 
considered thereof, are of opiniiTii & do Keport as followeth viz 

1 — That the proprietors of the Township Xo 1 on the west side of 
('(mneetioutt River Rais by way of Rate the sum of four pounds on Ea<'h 
Right in Due proportion cm each right according to the number of Hights 
each one holds ife Claims in s'd propriety, which sum amounts to two 
hundred tt forty pounds and yt ye assessors for this i)resent year make 
a rate for ye same it s'd Collector Collect ct pay in the same to the treas- 
urer of s'd propriety at oi- before the first day of Ai)rill 1740 — also that 
s'd proprietors at ye adjournment of there metting in ye Eleventh of 
June Currant make choice of a Committe to draw out the sum of one 
hundred & twenty pounds on the fifteenth Day of June 1740 & pay to 
such a number of s'd proprietors who shall this present year Repair to 
s'd Township it there on his Respective house Loft build a Dwelling 
Iiousc according to Court act: and by the tifteenth Day of June 1740 fence 
in it brake up foi- plowing or Clear it stock with Inglish (Jrass five acres 
of Land: That the number of said proprietors that shall so do or cause to 
be done on his or there house Lott (u- Lotts in s'd Township it make the 
same appear: so s'd Committee shall by order from said Committee to 
s lid treasurer Draw out the sum of one liundred & twenty pounds. Each 
one to Draw in proportion to the number of houses he sludl build on his 
liouse Lotts (no i)erson to build more than one house on one Lott, it Eacli 
Right to clear five acres as alfoiesaid for Kadi iiouse he shall so Ruild in 
said Township 

•Jly— That tlic Itcuiaincr lialf part being one liuu(lr<'(l and twenty 
p(mn(is shall l)c paid to those that shall actually Injiabit their homes so 
built Eithei' by themselves or some other Chi-istian subject of our Lord 
the King f(U- the space of three month between the said fifteenth of 
June 1740 it the iifteenth ()f November next after, it make the same ap 
pear t«) s'tl Committe, shall Each one Draw his proportion accordiug to 
the number of house he shall so Cavise to hv Inhabited at tlu' end of said 
three inontiis. it said treasurer is Dirt'cli'd ui>on ivV'ceiviug an older from 
said Committee or the major part of tliciii to pay out the same according 
to Kach ..lies i;es].c(tivc Diu-all wjiich is liumbly submitted by 

In said meeting said l.'epMil was i 'i'llo.MAS (JLAI' / 

iteadandaConsi.lerahle Debate had VlOSKlM! EDDY ((Mumittee. 

thereon: and tlieii the said projuie- ' J AMKS WILLIAMS \ 
tors by a great majority C^ame into 
the following vote tiiereoii 



APPENDIX. 381 

Voted that the report of the Comniitte Chosen tlio i^^tli of INhiy Last 
j)ast be accepted & that the sum of Sixty pounds be aded to the said two 
hundred and forty pounds to lie paid in Eijual lialfs, agreeable to the first 
iV: second articles in said IJeport all which was voted in the affirma- 
tive — And the said proprietors proceed to make Choice of the Comniitte 
above said: And the Committe then Chosen was Lint. Eliphelet Leonaril 
Liut Morgan Cobb Mr Joseph Eddy Liut John Harvey & Ebenezer Dean 

and then the Committe Chosen to make' report what s'd proprietors 
should do as to fencing tliere Intervale it house Lotts next the River into 
one or more field or fields Reported as f( ilhiwetli : We the subscribers a Com- 
mitte Chosen by the proprietors of the township number one on the west 
side of Connecticutt River Consider what is proper for said proprietors 
to do about fencing the lower tier of Lotts & the Intervale Lotts, Do re- 
port that the said Lotts be fenced into a General field by those that shall 
(Jo up there before the first day of July 1740 tSr every proprietor that have 
his Loft or Lotts fenced in shall ]iay to those yt Do it nine pence a Rod 
which is submitted by us 

Taunton June sth 173!i 

THOMAS CLAP / 
-lOSEPH EDDY [Committe 
JOHN HARVEY) 

This Report Read «fe accepted and was^voted in the affirmative James 
Williams propr Clerk And then the meeting was by vote Dismised and 
the Moderator Declared the meeting was Dismised accordingly at this 
adjournment 42 Rights present which acted in s'd meeting 

James Williams propr Clerk 

At a Legall meeting of the proprietors of the Township number one 
on the west side of the Connecticut River warned according to proprie- 
tors Order & held at the schoole house in Taunton on Munday the 7th 
day of Aprill 1740 being the first Miinday in s'd month: and after s'd \n-u- 
prietors being meet Legally 

1 — They made Choice of Capt James Leonard Moderator for said 
meeting 

■2 — Made Choice of James Williams Es(p- Proprietors Clerk 

:) — Made Choice of Liut John Harvey Treasurer for sd. Proprietors 
f(U- the next year ensuing 

4 — The proprietors made Choice of Ens Setli Sumner Ebenezer Dean 
cV: Seth Tisdale assessors for this present- year 

")— Made Choice of Mr Josepli Eddy Collector for this present year 
and then said proprietors by vote Dismised said meeting and tlie Mode-i-- 
ator Declared y* said meeting was Dismised accordingly 

James Williams proprietors Clerk 

Bristol Sc At a proprietors meeting Legally warned and held at the 
sciiool house in Taunton on the Seventh Day of Aprill 1740: w liich 



382 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

saiil nieetiui; was wanii'd liy tlic in-ojjrit'tois Ck'ik upon application to 
him made by livo proprii'tors: ami then the ](V()])rietovs Camt' into the 
following votes 

1 — Said T'roprietors made Thoiee of Lint Morgan Cobb ^loderator of 
said meeting 

And then the said proprietors by vote adjourned said meeting to the 
Dwelling house (»f Ituth Tisdale and then meet forthwith according to 
adjournment 

2 — Voted that ('apt James Leonard be an agent in the name & be- 
half of said proprietors to petition the Great and General Court (if need 
be) to Grant a further time to said proprietors to fulfill the Conditions of 
the Grant of said Court for settling the same according to Court act: the 
time being now elapsed 

:J — That article mentioned in the application Relating to putting in 
suit those bonds Given by some proprietors for building a KSaw Mill was 
dismised by vote 

4 — Voted that James Williams Esqr be an agent in the name & be- 
half of said proprietors to petition the General Court Committe to Con- 
lirm the votes of said proprietors at there meeting held at Taunton on 
the 28th Day of May \l'-]\) and then said meeting was by vote Dismised 
and the Modi'rator Declared said meeting was Dismised accordingly 
James Williams proprietors Clerk 

At a proprietors meeting Legally warned and held at the Schoole 
house in taunton on the Eight Day of July 1740 to act and vote on the 
several articles set forth in the application for calling said meeting 

The Moderator Chosen for said meeting was Ensign Seth Sumner 

1 — Voted that Messurs Joseph Eddy James Leonard Junior & Seth 
Tisdale be a committee to take into Consider.ition what way in (the) 
Township number one will l»e proper and beneficial for said proprietors 
to clear out, by way of Rate, for there conveniancy to pass and Repass to 
& from yt Saw Mill in said Township and yt said Committe I'eport to saiil 
proprietors what is Proper to vote thereon and to Report as soon as may 
be. Passed in the affirmative And then said proprietors by vote ad- 
journed said meeting to y' Dwelling House of the widow Ruth Tisdale 
and to meet at Eight O'clock this present day: and then meet according 
to adjournment and then said Committe made report to said ])roprietors 
there place which is as followeth 

July tiie Sth 1740: we the subscribers who was chosen a committe by 
the proprietors in the Township Xo 1 : on the west side of Connecticutt 
Ptiver to Report to said proprietors what way in said Township proper 
and necessary to be cleared ft) pass and Rei)ass to & from the saw mill in 
said Township: are of opinion y' the ten Rod highway Be cleared and 
made passable from the four Rod highway that is between the forty 
second and forth eighth Lotts south ward to yt Saw Mill, and so over as 



APPENDIX. 383 

far as eau bo doiR' with thirty pounds, and that a rate be nuuU' on s'd 
proprietors of thirty pounds and Delivered to a Conimitte ai)pointed 
for yt purpose to receive it and see it laid out aoeonlintiiy : .Tuly stli 
1740 



.TOSEPH EDDY i 

JAMES LEONARD :!d Connnitte 

SETH TLSDALE ) 



and after the foreiioing' lie])ort was Read ajfain voted that the same 
be aeoepted 

.lames Williams proprietors C'lerk 

The Second article mentioned in said application being Read Relating 
to meeting .some Consideration to the first settler at yt South East Corner 
of s'd Township, or otherwise was by vote dismised 

The voted that this meeting be adjourned unto the first Munday of 
September next being the first Day of s'd mounth at one of the Clock in 
the aftei-noon and then to meet at the Scliole house in s'd Taunton: and 
the Moderator Declared said meeting was adjourned accordingly 

.lames Williams propr Clerk 

Sept 1st 1740 Then the proprietors of the Township Number one on 
the west side of the Connecticutt River meet according to adjournment: 
and after a considerable Debate had on the foregoing meeting 

Voted that it is thought proper that a greater majority of i^roprie- 
tors be present to act in the affair of said meeting Therefore voted that 
this meeting be adjourned unto Munday the twenty-second Day of Sep- 
tember Currant at one of the Clock in the afternoon: and then to meet at 
the schoole house in said Taunton 

Passed in the aflirmative 

And the Moderator Declared that said meeting was adjourned ac- 
cordingly 

.Tames AVilliams Proprietors Clerk 

Sept. 22d 1740 The Proprietors of the Township number one on the 
west side of Connecticutt River meet according to adjournment and there 
Came into the following vote: Viz Voted that this meeting be adjourned 
unto the third Munday of November next being the 17tli Day of sM 
mounth and then to meet at s'd schoole house in Taunton at one of tin- 
Clock in the afternoon and tlie Moderator Deelai-ed said meeting was ad- 
journed accordingly 

.lames Williams propr Clerk 

At a proprietors meeting held and Continued by several adjourn- 
ments from the 8th of July 1740 unto Munday the 17th of November 1740 
and there meet at the schoole house afforesaid and then adjourned to the 
Dwelling house of Mrs. Ruth Tisdale in said taunton at four of ye Clock 
in the afternoon oi s"d Day and there meet accordingly 



384 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

And then voted that Mr Setli .Sunnier Lint Elii)helet Leonard and 
Mr. Jmiathan Barney be a Committee to take into consideration and con- 
sider what .Service have been Done by several Persons who have Done 
.Service on the Respective house Lotts : and how far Each of >hem have 
been servisable to the propriety and make Report to the adjournment of 
tliis meeting what allowances Each one that has Labored on s'd Town- 
ship ought to have, provided they forego there former vote of t;5()f>for 
Incouragement of the first setlers, and also to Report what allowance 
shall be made to our present Clerk for his service as proprietors Clerk 
ever since we have been a propriety; voted in the affirmative and then tlie 
meeting was adjourned by vote to tuesday ye Second Day of December 
next and then to meet at s'd Schoole house at one of ye clock in ye after- 
noon an<l the Moderator Declared it.was adjovirned accordingly 

•lames Williams proprietors Clerk 

At a proprietors meeting held at the .Schoole house in Taunton on 
Tuesday the second Day of December 1740 being continued by adjourn- 
ments from the Eight day of July Last past unt() this Day and then meet 
according to adjournment and then the Report of the Committee Chosen 
the nth Day of November Last past made Report according to Order as 
foUoweth viz 

We the subscribers being a f^ommitte Chosen by the proprietors of 
Township number one ct on the 17th Day of November Last to Take into 
Consideration and Consider what service have been Done by several Per- 
sons who have done service on the Respective house Lotts and how far 
Each of them have been .servisable to the proprietors and make Report 
to the adjournment of said meeting what allowance each one that has 
Labored on said Township ought to have provided they forego the vote 
of £300 for Incouragement of the first setlers: as also what allowance 
siiall be made our present Clerk for bis service as proprietors Clerk ever 
since hi' has served in said office 

l_\Ve have duly considered and find a vote of May 21»th 173!» that 
said proprietors did Chuse a Committe who Reported to said proprietors 
tliat the sum of two hundred and forty pounds .should be liaised by way 
of Rati' on them to Inconrage a sertain number of proprietors that 
slioiild l>e first setlers and leading the settlement of there (irants in said 
Townslii)) and tliat such number of proprietors as sliould in the same 
year 17:l'.> iU'pair to liis i;csi)ectivc house Lott and l)uild a Dwelling house 
according to Court act and by tlie fifteenth of ,Inne 1740 fence in and 
brake up for plowing or clear and stock with Inglish (Jrass five acres of 
Land; that such member as should so do and make the same api)ear to a 
committe should Draw out £1:20 of the afCoresaid £240 

oiy—And the Other lialf of the two hundred and forty ])ounds Iteing 
cTJO should be i)aid to those that slionld actually Iniiabit tliere houses 



APPENDIX. 385 

so built themselves or some other subjects of Our Lord the Kiug for the 
space of three months between the 15th of June 1740 and the ir>tli of No- 
vember the same year ifec. 

2iy — it appears to your Committe that altho there vpas a Rate for said 
sum of three hundred pounds yet no part thereof is Collected by Reason 
there was no Collector sworn for said year 1739 Therefore your Com- 
mitte Report as followeth 

1 — It Doth not appear to us that any person or persons has fulfilled 
or Complied with the afforesaid vote so as to be Intitled to any part of 
said three hundred pounds 

2iy — Are of the Opinion that the said sum be not Collected nor paid 
into the treasury of said Township 

3 — Are of the opinion that those persons that have actually been up 
and Labored in said Township should have an honourable allowance 
made to each of them according to there Respective service as followeth 

To Mr Richard Ellis who in a Great measure so to us appears built a 
Dwelling house and broke up five or six acres of Land be paid and al- 
lowed by said proprietors for both years service 1739 and 1740 the sum 
of i'45=0=0 Voted. 

To be paid Leuit John Harvey for himself and hand in ye year 1739 
£10=0=0 voted. 

To be paid James Washburn for his service and part of the team 
£10=0=0 voted. 

To be paid Mr Joseph Eddy for himself and one hand and one third 
part of the team £15=0=0 voted. 

To be paid Seth Tisdale for his Labor 1739 £5=0=0 Voted 

Jonathan Harvey ye 2d to be paid £5=0=0 Voted 

£90=0=0 
To be paid Jonathan Thayer for his service in the year 1740 on said 
Township £10=0=0 

This article of Jonathan Thayers was Read and passed in the nega- 
tive: and upon said proprietors voting the several sums to the several 
Persons above named they to Declare under there Hands that Each of 
them Do freely and fully Discharge the proprietors vote of £300 and 
that our Clerk Record the said Discharge on our proprietors Records 
And that our present assesors be Directed to make a Rate and assess- 
ment on said proprietors in Due proportion for collecting the same and 
the Collector to Gather in the same and pay it to our Treasurer and he 
to pay out the same by the twentieth Day January next to the Respec- 
tive persons to whome it is voted in bills of Either of the Governments 
of New England 

Also we further Report that the sum of ten pounds be Raised and 
added to said Rate for payment of James AVilliams Esqr Our present 



386 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

Clerk for his service as proprietors Clerk ever since we have heeii a pro- 
priety and in full Discharge of all the service he has Done the proprie- 
tors in the propriety and y* the same be aded to said Rate and the treas- 
urer Directed to make payment to him said Williams by the said 2Utli of 
January next — all of vphich is humbly submitted. 
December 2d 1740 



SETH SUMNER 



ELIPHELET LEONARD Committee 
JONATHAN BARNEY ) 

December 2d 1740 — The foregoing Report being Read and Consid- 
ered voted that the same be accepted and that the Clerk Record the 
same 

Recorded Dec. 3d 1740 by James Williams Proprietors Clerk 
James Williams propr Clerk 

And whereas at this meeting on the 8th of July 1740 it was in a Com- 
mittees Report then Chosen that thirty povinds be Raised for clearing a 
highway from the saw mill to the four Rods highway between the 47 
and forty Eight house Lotts in said Township; now it is voted that Mr 
James Walker Jur, Liut. John Harvey and Mr Seth Staples be Chosen 
and they to Do and perform as by said Report on Record is Directed, 
which was voted in the affirmative and then the meeting by vote was 
Dismised and the Moderator Declared the same was Dismised accordly, 
James Williams proprietors Clerk. 

At a proprietors meeting warned and held at the schoole house in 
Taunton on Tuesday the Second Day of December 1740: the Moderator 
then Chosen was Ens Seth Sumner And then the proprietors adjourned 
said meeting to the Dwelling house of Ruth Tisdale widow; and there 
forthwith meet according to adjournment, and came into the follow- 
ing vote viz 

Voted that Liut Morgan Cobb ye 2d, James Williams Esqr Liut John 
Harvey, Decon Samuel Sumner and Liut Eliphelet Leonard be a Com- 
mitte in the Behalf of the proprietors to make the Best Inquiry they 
can and Inform themselves so as to be abill to Lay before the proprie- 
tors at the adjournment of this meeting how the Circumstances of the 
said Township are as to settlement of Hampshire Line and what the 
General Courts Committes opinion is thereon to which we have Given 
bonds for the performance of the Conditions therein Enjoyed: said Com- 
mittee to be at no Charge to the propriety Voted in the affirmative 
and then the proprietors by vote adjourned said meeting unto the first 
Tuesday of January next at one of the Clock in the afternoon and then 
to meet at the schoole house in said Taunton: and then the Moderator 
Declared said meeting was adjourned accordingly by 

James Williams propr Clerk 



APPENDIX. 387 

At a proijrietors meeting held at the Schoole House iu Taunton on 
Tuesday the 6th Day of January 1740 being Continued by adjournment 
from the second Day of December Last and now meet according to ad- 
journment and then the proprietors by vote adjourned said meeting unto 
the first Munday of Aprill next and said moderator Declared that said 
meeting was adjourned accordingly 

James Williams propr Clerk 

At a proprietors meeting held at the schoole house in taunton on 
Munday the 6th Day of Aprill 1741: being the first Munday in sd month: 
for Choice of Clerk treasurer assesorsand all Other officers necessary for 
the proprietors of the said township or propriety and being meet Came 
into the following Choice of Officers 

1 — Mr Setli Sumner Chosen Moderator for said meeting 

2— James Williams Esqr Chosen Clerk for said propriety for ye year 
1741 

3 — the Collector Chosen was Mr Seth Staples but he Refused in sd 
meeting to serve and then the proprietors made choice of Mr Joseph 
Eddy 

4— assesors Chosen for sd year 1741 was Mr Seth Sumner Ebenezer 
Dean and Seth Tisdale the Treasuer chosen for said year 1741 was Lieut 
John Harvey and then the proprietors by vote Dismised said meeting & 
moderator Declared said meeting was dismised according. 

James Williams Propr Clerk 

At a projirietors meeting held at the Schoole house in Taunton on 
Munday the 6th Day of Aprill 1741 being continued by several adjourn- 
ments from the 2d Day December 1740 and meet according to adjourn- 
ment. Voted that this meeting be further adjourned unto the second 
Munday of May next; and then to meet at the Schoole house in taunton 
at one of the Clock in the afternoon of sd Day and the Moderator De- 
clared ye meeting was adjourned accordingly 

James Williams Propr Clerk 

At a proprietors meeting held at the Schoole house in taunton on 
Munday the Eleventh Day of May 1741 being Continued by several ad- 
journments from the Second Day of December Last past and meet ac- 
cording to adjournment and came into the following vote 

1— Voted that there be a division of fifty acres of Land to each Pro- 
prietor also three fifty acre Lotts: one for the Minister: One for the Min- 
istry: and one for the Schoole and Each Lott to be Laid in proportions 
for Quantity and Quality and to be surveyed and Laid out agreeable to the 
Direction said proprietors shall Give to there Committe yt shall be ap- 
pointed to Lay out the same— It is also voted that Richard Ellis one of 
ye proprietors of said Township shall have full Liberty to Lay out one 



388 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

fifty acre Lott at the South East Corner of said Township: he being at 
the cost of the survey of said Lott: and he to Laj' the same in one sijuare 
body; and said fifty acres to be Deducted out of his Right for one of his 
Lotts on s'd Division and said Ellis to present a Return of s'd fifty acres 
to said Proprietors Laid out by a surveyor and Chain men by the first 
Munday of Aprill next. Provided he actually Repair to said Township 
and settle on the same this present year and build a Dwelling house on 
the same Lott: but if he fail of so doing then to be as one of the Other 
Lotts to be Drawn for ye said proprietors; also provided he Do not lay 
any part of said fifty acres within thirty Rods of the Line of ye Equive- 
lent Land adjoining to said Township. voted in the affirmative 

And then said Proprietors adjourned said meeting by votes unto the 
Last Munday of July next and there to meet at said schoole house at 
one of the clock in the afternoon, and the Moderator Declared said meet- 
ing was adjourned accordingly 

James Williams Propr Cler 

To James Williams Esqr Clerk of the Township No 1 on the west 
side of the Connecticutt River these are to Desire you to warn a propri- 
etors meeting on fryday the 25th of September Instant at one of the 
clock in the afternoon: in the schoole House in Taunton for the ends 
and purposes here after mentioned viz 

first to Chose a Moderator 

2— To Choose three or five or more men to lay out the fifty acre Divi- 
sion all Ready agreed upon 

Sd— To agree upon a division of the Interval! Land and how many 
acres shall be to a Right 

4— To Impuwer the above said Committe to Lay out the Intervale 
Land if the said proprietors Think fitt to to have a Division of it. 

5— To agree and vote how much they shall have a day for Laying 
out the above said Land 

6— To vote how much the said proprietors will Give to the first set- 
ler or setlers 

7— To vote to Impower those men that ware formerly Impowered to 
sell the Rights in the affore said Township of those men that neglect or 
Refuse to pay there part of the Charge that have all Ready Risen or 
shall Rise 

8 — To see whither the pi-oprietors of s'd Township will Impower the 
above said Committe to Imploy any persons to Clear a path From fort 
Dummer to the Township number one and in so Doing you will oblige 
yours to serve 
Taunton September the !Sth 1741 

Sept 9th 1741 Notification f James Leonard 

posted up to warn the affore said | Joseph Eddy 

meeting at Taunton meeting house ■{ John Harvey 

according to Law by me I Jonathan Thayer 

James Williams propr Cler [ Jonathan Harvey 



API'ENDIX. 389 

Bristol Sc At a proprietors meeting warned and held at the Schoole 
House in Taunton on fryday the 25th day of September 1741 for the 
Ends and vies set fort in the warrant Calling said meeting as on Record 

Lieut. John Harvey was Chosen Moderator for said meeting and 
then voted that this meeting be adjourned unto the first fryday of Octo- 
ber next being the Second day of said month at two of the Clock in the 
afternoon, and the Moderator Declared said meeting was adjourned ac- 
cordingly 

James Williams propr Clerk 

October 2'i 1741 the proprietors meeting held at the Schoole house in 
taunton the 2."jth of September Last being Continued by adjournment to 
this Day meet according to adjournment voted that Lieut John Harvey, 
Mr Joseph Eddy, James Williams, James Leonard the 3d and Seth Tis- 
(lale or the major part of them be a Committe to take a survey of all the 
Intervale Land in said Township that adjoynes the Connecticutt River 
that is not all Ready alotted and Drawn for in the former survey; and to 
Lay the same into sixty three Lotts and proportion the same for Quality 
and Quanity that each Lott may be of Equal value, and to make Return of 
tlie survey and alottment to said proprietors in a meeting for that pur- 

l»ose with a plan of the said survey Voted in the affirmative, 

and then voted that this meeting be adjourned at the time and place 
when the next Legall meeting shall be held by said proprietors: and 
then to meet: and the Clerk is Directed to Give notice seasonably that 
said meeting is adjourned by posting up the same at the publick meet- 
ing house in said Taunton: and then the Moderator Declared said meet- 
ing was adjourned accordingly 

James Williams propr Cler 

At a proprietors meeting held at the Schoole House in Taunton the 
fifth Day of Aprill 1742, being continued by several adjournments from 
the 2.0th Day of September A. D. 1741 met according to adjournment 
and then adjourned said meeting to four o'clock in the afternoon and 
then met accordingly and then the proprietors adjourned said meeting 
by vote to the first Munday of August next at one of the Clock in the 
afternoon, and the moderator Declared said meeting was adjourned 
accordingly. 

James Williams, Proprietors Clerk. 

Bristol Sc at a proprietors meeting legally warned and held at the 
Schoole house in Taunton on Munday the fifth Day of Aprill A. D. 1742 
being the first Munday of said mounth: and anuall meeting for said pro- 
l)rietors according to there vote Being meet according to warning. 

1 Capt. James Leonard was chosen moderator for said meeting. 

2 James Williams was Chosen Clerk for the ensuing year 1742. 



390 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

3 Voted that Mr. Joseph Eddy be an a<rent and wait on the Honl 
Committe to whom the proprietors of our Township Gave Bonds for 
performance of settlement of said Township according to Court act, 
and said agent is fully Impowered and Desired to ac<iuaint said Com- 
mitte of the Difficulty said proprietors Labour under; and has ex- 
pended Considerable money and Labour on said Township and in Con- 
siderable preparation to fulfill the Court act on us enjoyned: yett not 
with standing said Township of Land (as sd proprietors are Informed) 
is now fallen into the Government of New Hampshire: which is much 
Discouraging to said proprietors Settlement and Going forward to fully 
Compleat there worke on said Township said proprietors humbly De- 
sires the Honl Committe to Inform said proprietors and give them Di- 
rection what proper meathod to take in order to have there Rights se- 
cured to sd proprietors according to Court act:— said agent to make 
report to said proprietors at the adjournment of this meeting: and shall 
have five shillings for his trouble and Expence in said affair. 

Voted in the affirmative and then the proprietors by vote adjourned 
said meeting unto the second Mnnday of June next at one of the Clock 
in the afternoon : and the Moderator Declared said meeting was ad- 
journed accordingly. 

James Williams, Proprietors Clerk. 

The Record of this last meeting closes the Records under the 
head of Township No. i on the west side of the Conndcticiitt River 
The call for the next meeting is from the Proprietors of the Town 
ship of Westminster in the Province of New Hampshire and was 
dated July 26, A. D. 1753 and in the Record Book immediately 
follows the record above given, and therefore leaves a missing 
link between the two setts of Proprietors, which was probably 
lost, as nothing appears between April 5, 1742, and July 26, 1753. 



APPENDIX CC. 

IPage 55-1 

The act establishing Taunton as the Shire town of Bristol 
County passed at the session begun and held at Boston, on the 
sixth day of November, A. I). 1746, Ch. 15, in these words: 



APPENDIX, 391 

"An act for makino- the town of Taunton the shire or County town 
of tlie County of Bristol, instead of the Town of Bristol, and for reniov- 
in<^ the books of records, and papers, of the said County of Bristol, that 
are in the Town of Bristol, to the said Town of Taunton. 

Be it enacted by the Covernor, Council and House of Representa- 
tives, 

(Sect. 1.) That from and after the thirteenth day of November, in 
the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty-six, the town 
of Taunton shall be and hereby is made and established the county or 
shire town of the county of Bristol, instead of the town of Bristol, and 
that the superiour court of judicature, court of assize and general goal 
delivery, and the court of general sessions of the peace, and inferiour 
court of common pleas, which by law was heretofore to be held and kept 
at the said town of Bristol for the said county, shall forever hereafter be 
held and kept at the said town of Taunton, within and for said county, 
on such days respectively, from time to time, as are now by law estab- 
lished for said county, and for the same respective ends and purposes, 
and with the same authority, respectively, as, heretofore, the said courts 
\v*!re held and kept in the town of Bristol; and all causes, suits and 
actions depending and to have ben heard in the several courts in said 
town of Bristol, for said county, shall be heard and tr(y)(i)ed at Taun- 
ton, by the said courts respectively, on the same days on Avhich they 
should have been heard and tried at Bristol before the passing of this 
net. 

(Sect. 2.) And all writs, whether original or of execution, informa- 
tions, presentments, veniref< for jurymen, and all other writings and in- 
struments that by law were returnable to the several courts or offices in 
Bristol, shall be and hereby are made returnable to the same courts and 
offices, respectively, in the town of Taunton. 

(Sect. 3) And all the records and papers of the court of general 
sessions of the peace, inferiour court of common pleas, court of i^robatc 
of wills and for granting letters of administration, and of the register of 
deeds, now in the said town of Bristol, shall be forthwith delivered to 
(ieorge Leonard, Esq(r)., Mr. Thomas Foster and John Shephard. Esq(r)., 
or the major part of them, who shall cause them immediately to be con- 
veyed to the said town of Taunton, and there safely deposited under the 
care of the same persons as heretofore, or others, as said committee 
shall judge best, who shall serve in these offices with full power, and 
shall give the same obligations and be under the like penalties as they 
or others had or were under heretofore, until this court shall further 
order, or others shall be duly appointed in their stead. 

(Sect. 4.) And the said committee are also directed to demand and 
receive of the treasurer of said county, now living in the town of Bristol, 
all money, records and papers to said county belonging, which they are 



392 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

also directed to remove and deposit at Taunton, in the same manner as 
is before directed concerning the records and papers to the said courts 
bck)n<;ing; and the several clerks, treasurer, register, and all other per- 
sons who are possessed of any records, books, papers, money or other 
things belonging to said county (such person or persons living now in 
said town of Bristol,) are hereby impowered and required to deliver 
them forthwith to the said committee. 

(Sect. 5.) And the sheriff of the said county is hereby directed to 
cause all prisioners now in his majestic' s goal in the county of Bristol, 
to be conveyed to said town of Taunton, and there put under safe cus- 
tody, in some proper place to be kept for that purpose, 'till said county 
shall provide a proper goal in said town of Taunton, or 'till they shall be 
delivered by due course of law. (Passed November 13; published Nov- 
ember 14. 

Mr. James H. Dean, in his valuable sketch of Taunton thus 
states the action had on the subject. 

"The earliest matter receiving attention after Taunton was made the 
shire town of the county was the providing a county house and jail. 
The record is as follows : 

"At his Majesty's Court of General Sessions of the Peace, begun 
and held at Taunton within and for the County of Bristol, on the second 
Tuesday of December, being the ninth day of the said month, A. D. 1740. 

Justices present: Seth Williams, Thomas Terry, George Leonard, 
Timothy Fales, Samuel Willis, Thomas Bowen, Stephen Paine, Silvester 
Richmond. Jr., Ephrairn Leonard, John Foster, Edward Hay ward, Sam- 
uel Howland, Samuel Leonard, John Godfrey, Samuel White. 

Timothy Fales, Esq., chosen Clerk of this Court and Sworn. 

Ordered by the Court that the School House in Taunton shall be for 
the present impressed for a Goal and that Samuel Leonard, ^ohn God- 
frey, and Samuel White, Esqrs. be a committee to see that said School 
House be made as secure as may be for the safe custody of all persons 
that maybe committed thereto with the utmost dispatch, and that Seth 
Williams the second shall take care to secure the two prisioners now in 
custody and all others that shall be committed in the mean time. 

Ordered by the Court that Seth Williams, George Leonard, Samuel 
Leonard, John (iodfrey, and Samuel White, Esqrs. be a committee to 
look out a suitable place for the standing of a Goal and County house in 
the Town of Taunton, & know what the land for erecting said houses on 
may be purchased for and make report of their doings thereon at the 
adjournment of this Court." 

At the adjournment on the second Tuesday of January, 1747. the 
committee for looking out a suitable place for County house and Goal 
made their report as followeth to wit: "We the subscribers appointed a 



APPENDIX. 393 

committee as Avitliin mentioned to look out a suitable place for the 
standing of a Goal and County house in the Town of Taunton have pui- 
suant to the within orders looked out a suitable place as we apprehend 
which is towards the upper end of the old Training Field a little below 
where they used to dig gravel and is to be sixty foot square which place 
we look upon to be the most suitable for setting a County house upon 
provided the Town Proprietors' Committee give a legall conveyance 
thereof with a suitable and convenient way to pass to and from said 
place. And also that the most suitable place for setting a Goal and Goal 
house be on the land of Samuel White and Mr. Semeon Tisdale at a place 
near the spring fso-called) adjoining to the way that leads from said Tis- 
dale's to Mr. Grossman's grist mill provided the said White and Tisdale 
give a legal conveyance thereof. 

Seth Williams, 

George Leonard, 

Sam'l. Leonard, 

John Godfrey, 

Samuel White, 

Committee. " 

Which re])ort was approved of and accepted by the court. 

"Ordered by the Court that John Foster, Silvester Richmond, Jr. 
and John Godfrey Esqrs. be a committee to provide materials and build 
a County house and Goal and Goal keeper's house with suitable dis- 
patch. The Goal to be thirty foot long and fourteen foot wide two story 
high and fourteen foot stud, to be studded with sawed stuff of six inches 
thick to be framed close together with a chimney in the middle suitable 
for a Goal. The house for prison keeper to be seventeen foot wide and 
twenty three foot long, two story high besides the entry between the 
Goal and dwelling house and to be fourteen foot stud with a suitable 
chimney and cellar." 

At an adjournment Jan. 28, 1747, Samuel White was appointed on 
the committee in place of Silvester Richmond, who was appointed 
sheriff. 

"January 28, 1746-7. Ordered by the Court that George Leonard, 
Ephraim Leonard and John Foster, Esqrs., be a committee to receive 
deeds of conveyance from the committee of the Town of Taunton, and 
proprietors of said Town, of the lands mentioned in the committee's 
report (as on file) for the use of the County of Bristol." 

The following appears in the records of the Court in June, 1(547: 

"Upon the Court's receiving a subscription of many of the inhabi- 
tants of the Town of Taunton, amounting in the whole to the sum of 
nine hundred twenty two pounds, fifteen shillings, old tenor, from the 
subscriber's committee, for building a Court house, ordered that the 



394 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

saiiio sluill be aocepted, and that the committee appointed by tiiis court 
shall be joined with the aforesaid committee of the subscribers in build- 
infif the Court-house as projected by the subscribers, and what further 
may be subscribed on the land given by the proprietors and inliabitants 
of the Town of Taunton, and as has been accepted by the Court of Gen- 
eral Sessions of the Peace, holden at Taunton, by adjournment in Jan- 
uary last." 

History of Bristol County — Massachusetts — p. 709 



APPENDIX DD. 

(Pap:e 5G.) 

Mittimus to the Keeper of the Goal at Taunton. You are hereby 
ordered and diiected to take unto your Custody Edward Webb, Thomas 
Newman, Charles Clarke, John Wooden, John Uunster, and William 
Carthieu, prisoners of War, and them safely keep, in Close Confine- 
ment, till the further order of the Major part of the Council— Hereof 
fail not at your Peril. 

Signed by fifteen of the Council. 
(Monday, October 9th 1775. Date of Meeting.) 

Return from the Keeper of the Goal at Taunton Informing the 
Hon.'''*' Council of the Escape of three prisoners — Viz Bartholomew Lan- 
ham a Serjant and Robert Pomeroy a Sailor both taken on Noddlis 
Island & William Smith a Marine taken at the Light House— In Council 
Read and Ordered to be Enteied on the files of Council. 
(Wednesday, October 11th 1775. Date of Meeting.) 



APPENDIX EE. 

(Page 57.) 

The Massachusetts Spy of Sept. i, 1774 contains a letter from 
Taunton, dated Aug. 25th, in which the writer says : 

—"This morning about 200 men met at the Ware Bridge, in this 
town, and after choosing a moderator, appointed a Committee to warn 
the towns of Dighton, Swansey, Raynham, Norton, Mansfield. Attic- 
borough and Easton to meet tomorrow, at eight oclock, when it is 



APPENDIX. 395 

thought two or three thousand men will be assemblcil, from whence 
they are to proceed to Freetown to wait on Col. Gilbert, and desire of 
him not to accept of the oftice of high Shci-itY under the present adniinis- 
ti-ation of the new laws, and that if he should, he must abide by the con- 
sequences; also to desire Brigadier Ruggles to depart this county imme- 
diately. — Such is the spirit of this County; they seem to be quite awake 
and to have awoke in a passion. It is more dangerous being a tory here, 
than at Boston, even if no troops were there" — 



APPENDIX FF. 

[Page 57.] 
BRISTOL COUNTY RESOLVES. Sept., 1774. 

At a meeting of the Gentlemen, Delegates from the following towns 
in the county of Bristol, viz.: Taunton, Dartmouth, Rehoboth, Free- 
town, Dighton, Swansea, Xortou, Mansfield, Raynham, Berkley, and 
Easton; held at the Court House, in Taunton, on the 28th and -iOth days 
of September, 1774, to consult upon the proper measures to be taken at 
the present alarming crisis of our public affairs. 

Zepheniah Leonard, Esq; chosen Chairman. 

After having read the act of parliament for regulating the govern- 
ment of this province, and the resolves of the counties of Suffolk, Mid- 
dlesex, &c. the following resolutions were unanimously adopted. 

Whereas our ancestors, of blessed memory, from a prudent care for 
themselves, and a tender concern for their descendants, did through a 
series of unparalled dangers and distresses, purchase a valuable inherit- 
ance in this western world, and carefully transmitted the same to us their 
posterity; and whereas for many years past, we have quietly enjoyed cer- 
tain rights and privileges, stipulated by charter, and repeatedly con- 
firmed by royal engagements; which rights and privileges are now un- 
justly invaded by the pretended authority of a British parliament, under 
pretext that it is inexpedient for us any longer to enjoy them; and as the 
same persons which found out this inexpediency, will no doubt, in time, 
discover that it is inexpedient for us to enjoy any rights and even any 
property at all ; we cannot in justice to ourselves and posterity, and ill 
gratitude to our revered ancestors, tamely stand by and suffer everything 
that is valuable and dear to be wrested from us; but are resolutely deter- 
mined, at the risque of our fortunes and lives, to defend our natural and 
compacted rights; and to oppose to our utmost all illegal and unconstitu- 
tional measures, which have been or maybe hereafter adopted by a 



396 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

JJiitisli pailiaiiK'nt, or a Britisli iniuistry. And thou<;'li wo depiicato tlio 
evils wliich are naturally (•(>nse<iuent upon a breaeli of that mutual atYee- 
tion and eoiitidenee wliicli has sul)sisted betwixt Great Britain and liev 
eolonies; yet we think it better to suffer those evils than voluntarily sub- 
mit to perpetual slavery. 

We are sensible that the important crisis before us demands the ex- 
ercise of much wisdom, prudence and fortitude, and we sincerely hope 
that all our deliberations and actions will be guided by the principles of 
sound reason, and a hearty desire to promote the true interest of the 
British empire. Accordingly, we resolve in the following manner, viz. 

Resolved, That we fully recognize (leorge the Third, King of Great 
Britain, &v. as our rightfull sovereign, and as allegiance and protection 
are recipi-ocal, we are determined faithfully to yield the former as long as 
we are allowed the enjoyment of the latter. 

Resolved, That the late acts of the British parliament, relating to the 
continent in general, and this province in particular, are contrary to rea- 
son, and the spirit of the English constitution, and if complied with, will 
reduce us to the most abject state of servitude. 

Resolved, That all civil officers in this province, considered as holding 
their respective offices by the tenure specified in a late act of the British 
parliament, deserve neither obedience nor respect; but we will support all 
such civil authority that is agreable to the charter of the province, 
granted by King AVilliam and Queen Mary. 

Resolved, That it is our opinion, that the several towns of this county 
should regulate themselves in all their public proceedings agreeable to 
the laws of this province. 

Resolved, That we will use our utmost endeavors to discountenance 
and suppress, all mobs, riots and breaches of the peace, and will afford 
all the protection in our power to the i)ersons and properties of our loyal 
fellow subjects. 

Resolved, That in all things, we will regulate ourselves by the oi)in- 
ion and advice of the continental congress, now sitting at Philadel])hia; 
and as we place great confidence in the abilities of the gentlemen, mem- 
bers of that Congress, we will cheerfully subscribe to their (k'teiinina- 
tions. 

Resolved, That our brethren of the town of Boston, wlio aic now 
suffering under the cruel hand of power in the common cause of Amer- 
ica, are justly entitled to all that support and relief wliicli wc can, and 
are now ready to att"ord them. 

Resolved, That whereas our biethren of the county of Suffolk have, 
by their spirited and noble resolutions, fully made known our sentiments, 
we therefore think unnecessary for us to be more particular, as we most 
cheerfully adopt their measures and resolutions. 



APPENDIX. 397 

Voted, That the above proceeding be inserted in the public pajjers. 

Voted, That the committee for tlie town of Taunton, be impowered 
to call a meeting of this body, whenever they think it necessary. 

Voted, That the thanks t)f this body be given to the Ciiairman for 
his faithful services. 

Voted, That this assembly be adjourned and it was accordingly ad- 
journed. 

A true copy 

DAVID OOP.I], Clerk. 
[Massachusetts Spy, October (i, 1774.] 



APPENDIX FFa. 

[Page 58.] 

The battle of Lexington took place on April 19, 1775. The 
news reached Taunton in the afternoon or evening of that 
clay. By an arrangement previously made, the Committees of 
Safety throughout the Province dispatched messengers on horse 
in every direction; every town within one hundred miles being in- 
formed by evening that the war had begun. The news was made 
known through the town by the firing of guns and other signals 
so that people in remote sections of a town were soon aware that 
they were needed. We give below the rolls of the two Taunton 
companies : 

A nuister roll of James Williams, Jr's., company of minute men, 
which marched from Taunton to Roxbury, each one from his respective 
home, on the 20th day of April, 1775: Captain Jas. Williams, Jun., 
Lieutenant Josiah King, Ensign Abiel Macomber, Sergeant John Shaw, 
Sergeant John Hall, Sergeant Abra. Hathaway, Sergeant Dan Briggs, 
Drummer Eben Sumner, Fifer Eben Pitts, Jr., Privates Thomas An- 
drews, (4eorge Andrews, Jacob Burt, Richard Cobb, Rich'd Caswell. Job 
Caswell, John Caswell, Ashel Crossman, Job Dean, Nathan Dean, Micah 
Dean, Abijah Dean, Eben'r Dean 2d, Joseph Eliot, George Eliot, Jr., 
John Godfrey, Seth Godfrey, Elijah Gushee, Peter Hoskins, Joshua Hall, 
Reuben Hart, Hezekiah Hall, Wm. Johnson, George King, Job King, 
Xathan King. Eliab Knap, Atherton Knap, Daniel Lane, Silvester Lin- 



398 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

koii, James Latham, Beiij. Leacli. Joiia. Macomber, Edw'd Paul. Zacli. 
Padelford, Jas. Padelford, James Presho, Eben'r Robinson 2d, Josiah 
Robinson 2d, Gideon Sliaw, Joseph Shaw, Jr., Job Smith, Jr., James 
Shaw, Seth Staple. Elibeus Shelly, Ashel Shaw, Shadrack Wilbore, Rich. 
Williams, Ilamaniel Wilbore, Israel Washburn, Jr., Ephraim Wood, Seth 
Williams. Nath. Woodward, Thomas Williams. 

These were all of Taunton, except Elijah Gushee, Joshua 
Hall, and Hezekiah Hall, all of Raynham, and Daniel Lane, of Nor- 
ton. They served twelve days, and were paid as follows : Capt. 
£2 los. Lieut., ;^i i6s. 8d. Sergeants, £\ i6s. Privates, ^i 
3s. 9 d. each. Total, ^^76 4s. 

Capt. Robert Grossman's company was also in service twelve 
days, as follows : 

Robert Grossman, Captain, Joshua Wilbore, 1st Lieutenant, Edw. 
Blake, 2d Lieutenant, Sergeant Elkanah Hoskins, Sergeant Eben Babbitt, 
Sergeant Josiah Smith, Sergeant Lem. Hathaway, Corjioral Rufus Lin- 
con, Corporal Elka. Smith, Corporal Rufus Baruey, Corporal Simeon 
Palmer, Fifer Joseph Wood, James Ball, Henry Brooks, Eben Crossman, 
Jabez Carver, James Davis, John Dillinham, Daniel Drake, Jona. French, 
Ephraim Hathaway, Samuel Hoskins, Richard Hunt, Josias Hall, James 
Hodges, Elkana Hodges, Jona. Ingle, Silvester Jones, Elijah Leonard, 
Benj. Lincon, Joshua Lincon, Xat. Leonard, Jr., Stephen Long, John 
Pratt, Amasiah Richmond, John Richmond, John Read, Solomon Smith, 
James Stacey, Nat. Tower, Benoni Tisdale, (xeorge Tisdale, John Tur- 
ner, Nat. Williams 1st, Nat. Williams 2d, Jona. Williams, James Wood- 
ward, Joseph Williams, Benj. Wilbore, Isaac Washburn, Stephen Wood- 
ward, Daniel Wetherel, Thomas White, Stephen White, Benj. Jones, 
Edward White. 

We are indebted to Arthur M. Alger Esqr., for the informa- 
tion above given. 



APPENDIX GG. 

[IMse 58.] 

The List and Proceedings of this Gomniittcc of Inspection 
and Gorrespondence is here given in full. 



APPENDIX. 399 

"At a meeting of the inliabitaiits of the Town of Taunton on Mon- 
day, July 3rd, 1775, said town made choice of 

George Godfrey, Esq. Capt. Henry Hodges, 

Maj'r. Richard Godfrey, Lieut. Solomon Dean, 

Ensign Ichabod Leonard, Cap. Simeon Williams. 

Lieut. Elisha Banney, James Williams, Jr. 

Lieut Ebenezer Cobb, Lieut. Wm. Thayer, 

Lieut. Benj. Dean, Jr. Mr. Elijah Lincoln, 

Mr. Nicholas Baylies, Doc. David Cobb, 

Benj. Williams, Esq., Mr. John Adam, 

Col. Geo. Williams, Mr. Josiah Crocker, 

Lieut. Edward Blake, liobert Luscombe, Esq., 

Mr. John Keen, 
as a Committee of inspection and correspondence for said town and any 
seven to make a quorum. 

The Committee of Inspection, etc., of the town of Taunton met to- 
gether on Monday, July 10th, 1775, and made choice of James Williams, 
Jr. for their clerk. 

Mr. Nicholas Baylies, Col. Geo. Williams and *Capt. John Read were 
chosen a Committee to take into their care the effects and estate of 
Daniel Leonard, Esq., lying in Taunton, who has fled for protection to 
Boston. Said Committee to improve or let the same to the best advan- 
tage and render a true account of the profits arising therefrom to this 
Committee or any other committee of correspondence of this town that 
shall be chosen for that purpose. 

VOTED— That Geo. Godfrey, Esq., Capt. Simeon Williams and Col. 
Geo. Williams be a committee to take into their custody the Pork and 
Grain now in the store of Doc. McKinstry and send the same to the army 
as soon as may be, and take an account of the same and keep an account 
of the cost of transportation. 

Doc. David Cobb and Capt. Simeon Williams were added to the first 
mentioned committee to take care of the goods and estate of Daniel 
Leonard, Esq., and said Committee or the major part of them, to take 
care of the effects and estate of any other persons who have fled to Bos- 
ton for protection, and to let or improve the same to the best advantage, 
and render an account of the profits thereof. 
Wednesday, August 2d, 1775. 

The Committee met and VOTED— That no future vote or resolve of 
this Committee shall be good or binding unless such vote or resolve be 
minuted or recorded by the Clerk. 

VOTED— That Mr. Jonathan Cobb be permitted to sail out 

of Taunton great river, where she is now lying, to any place 

which is not forbid by the Continental or Prov. Congress. 

*His name is probably omitted by mistake on tlie committee chosen, July 3U. 



400 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

There was delivered to James Williams Jr., one note from R. Lis- 
combe, Esq. i'2.8; one from Robt. Caldwell for the Committee t'G.O; 
Dean & Crocker £2.8, one from Lem. Hathaway £2.8. 

The meeting adjourned to Monday next at 4 o'clock in the afternoon. 

Monday Aug. 7th, 1775. 

The Committee met and adjourned said meeting to Monday, Aug. 14, 
1775. Said meeting further adjourned to the 21st instant and from that 
time to the 23rd of said mouth. 

At a meeting of the Committee of inspection Aug. 23d. 1775, Re- 
solved, that it be earnestly recommended to the inhabitants of this town, 
that they refrain from killing any Lambs till the further advice of this 
Committee, or some future Committee of this town : agreeable to a late 
resolve of the Provincial Congress. The Committee being informed of 
divers letters from Newport to sundry Merchants and Traders in this 
town desiring them to collect all the Flax Seed in their power, so that it 
may be shipp'd, before the 10th of Sei5. next, and as such conduct at 
this time must essentially militate against the spirit of the Association 
of the Continental Congress, 

Therefore, Resolved, that no person in this town be guilty of trans- 
porting or exporting any Flax Seed so that it may go off the Continent, 
and that this resolve be printed in the Providence and Watertown news- 
papers, and a Copy sent to the Committee of each town in the county of 
Bristol. 

Monday, Aug. 28th, 1775. 

The Committee of Correspondence met and Voted that the Clerk set 
up one or more advertisements in the town respecting non-commissioned 
officers and soldiers who have absented themselves from the Continental 
army. 

Joseph Dean, being complained of for his late conduct in transacting 
business for Thomas Paddock of Middleborough, the Committee put off 
the hearing thereof to Monday next at two o'clock in the afternoon. 

Col. Godfrey, Doc. Cobb and James Williams, Jr, were chosen a 
Committee to write to the Committee of Providence respecting exporta- 
tion of Flax Seed. 

Mr. Ichabod Leonard was desired to caution Jacob Leonard or any 
other person against carrying any Flax Seed out of this town. 

Lieut. William Thayer and Lieut. Cobb were desired to do the same 
to Henry Burt and others. 

Monday, Sep. 4th, 1775. 

The Committee then met. A vote was called to see whether Joseph 
Dean has transgressed in his going to the General Court to transact bus- 
iness for Thomas Paddock. Passed in the negative. 



APPENDIX. 401 

2d A vote was called to see whether he had transgressed in utter- 
ing some slanderous expressions respecting the town of Middleborough, 
and passed in the affirmative. 

Thereupon, Voted, that said Joseph make an acknowledgment 
therefor — which was done in writing before this Committee. 

The meeting was then dismissed. 

At a meeting of the Committee of Inspection and CJorrespondence 
of the Town of Taunton, Dec. 8, 1775— 

Whereas, it is of the utmost importance at this time of general dan- 
ger to use our power for the preservation of peace and unity in every 
respect; and whereas, of late some uneasiness hath arisen on account of 
the sale of Rum, Molasses, English Goods, and other merchandise which 
by the cruelty of our common enemy is very likely to become scarce 
amongst us — and taking under consideration the recommendation of the 
Grand Congress respecting the venders of goods and merchandise, Ave 
have thought proper to adjourn this meeting to the 18th of Dec. at one 
o'clock in the afternoon at the dwelling house of Mr. Eliphaz Harlow in 
Taunton. Then and there to hear all such comi)laints as shall be ex- 
hibited to us touching such venders of goods in said Taunton : and de- 
termine thereon, agreeable to the Association of s'd Congress. 

Geo. Godfrey, Esq., Mr. Josiah Crocker, Benj. Williams, Esq., Mr. 
Nicholas Baylies and James Williams, Jr. were appointed to examine 
the invoices and other papers of said Traders which can inform said 
Committee of anything respecting purchasing or selling such goods and 
merchandise. 

Dec. 18, 1775. 

Met according to adjournment and after the Committee had made a 
verbal report the meeting was dismissed. 

The Committee of Correspondence for the Town of Taunton met on 
the 2d of Octo. 1775, 

Voted, that the money which was given by the inhabitants of this 
Town towards the support of the poor of the Town of Boston, be now 
paid into the hands of the Select Men of the Town of Taunton: and that 
said Select Men apply the same for the support of said Poor who are or 
may come to Taunton, and that said Select Men keep an account of 
what they expend. 

The Committee of Inspection and Corresi)ondence for the Town of 
Taunton met on the 4th of March 1776— To consider a complaint made 
by Isaiah Stephens against Mr. Nicholas Baylies, respecting said Baylies' 
tendering money in the name of Henry Lawton, etc. and after consider- 



402 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

ing said complaint and lieaving botli parties, said Committee weie of 
the opinion that said Baylies had not trangressed against any resolve of 
Congress or General Court. The Committee then adjourned their meet- 
ing to Friday next at one o'clock in the afternoon. 

Friday Mch. 8, 1776. 

Then met according to adjournment. The Committee having been 
informed that Nathaniel Bird of Taunton, a shopkeeper in said 
Town had refused the Continental Bills in pay for his goods; and said 
Bird being desired to appear before said Committee to answer to the 
aforesaid charge, refused to attend; and as the Committee are 
sufficiently convinced from the examination of a number of evidences 
that said Bird has been repeatedly guilty in refusing paper currency 
without a very great discount thereon, and sundry instances refused 
taking it; 

Therefore, in compliance with the Resolve of the Continental Con- 
gress and of the General Court of this Province: said Committee think 
it proper to publish said Bird to the world as an enemy to American 
Freedom, and all persons are forewarned having any trade or intercourse 
with him as they regard the welfare of this country or the authority of 
the Continent. 

Further, Voted, that James Williams, Jr., Clerk of said Committee 
send copies to the Printers of Cambridge, Watertown and Providence, 
for publishing said Bird, and set notifications up in this and the neigh- 
boring Towns. 

. This closes the proceedings of the Committee of Inspection 
and Correspondence first chosen, July 3, 1775. Another similar 
Committee was chosen in the spring of 1776, the proceedings of 
which appear below : 

At a meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Taunton on Monday 
the 11th of March 177r>, the Town made choice of 

Geo. Godfrey, Esq. Benj. Williams, Esq. 

Mr. Nicholas Baylies, Col. Geo. Williams: 

Capt. TTcnry Tlo'dges. Doc. David Cobb, 

Capt. SinicoH Williams, .lames Williams, Jr.. 

Mr. Elislia Barney, 

to serve as a Connnittee of Corresptmdence, Inspection and Safety, lor tlie 
year ensuing, agreeable to a Resolve of the General Court which jtasscd 
Feby. 13, 1770. Attest James Williams, T. Clerk. 

The above Committee met at the dwelling house of Mr. Eliphaz 
Harlow in Taunton Monday evening Mcli. 11, 1776, and made choice of 



APPENDIX. 4O3 

James Williams, Jr. for their Clerk, Geo. Godfrey, Esq. for their Chair- 
man and Benjamin Williams, Esq., Chairman in the absence of Esq. 
Godfrey. 

The Committee taking into consideration a complaint to the former 
Committee of this town against Nathaniel Bird respecting his conduct 
in refusing paper bills, and the jiroceeding of said Committee thereon. 
Therefore, Voted, to continue said meeting for a further hearing to 
■ Wednesday next at three o'clock in the afternoon. 

Wednesday, Mch. 13, 177r), met and further adjourned said meeting 
to Monday, Mch. 18th. 

Mch. 18, 177G. The Committee met and proceeded as follows, viz: 
In Committee, Taunton, Mch. 8, 177(3, Nathaniel Bird a shopkeeper in 
this Town being convicted for refusing Paper Currency in his payments, 
the Committee resolved to publish him to the world agreeable to tlie 
order of the Continent, but said Bird soon after applied to the Commit- 
tee desiring their pardon for his crime and promising reformation for 
the future. They therefore have stopped all proceedings against him 
and recommend him for the future to the good opinion of the Continent 
on his signing the following paper. 
By order of the Committee, Attest James Williams, Jr. Clerk. 

Whereas,!, the subscriber, a shopkeeper in this Town have been 
repeatedly guilty in refusing Paper Currency in pay for my goods and as 
I find that my conduct in so doing has essentially interfered with the 
resolutions of the Continent and of the General Court of this Province, 
I therefore in this humble and public manner ask the forgiveness of my 
country, and promise determinately for the future to abide by and per- 
sonally support the resolutions of the Congress and General Court of 
this Province as far as lays in my power. 
Taunton Mch. IS, 1776. N. Bird. 

Recorded per James Williams, Jr., Clerk to the Committee 

Tuesday Apr. 2, 1776. The Committee met. 

Mr. Nicholas Baylies, Capt. Simeon Williams, Col. Geo. Williams, 
Capt. Henry Hodges, and James. Williams, Jr. were chosen a Sub-Com- 
mittee to take care of the improvement for one year or a shorter time, if 
they see lit, of the buildings and land or other estate of the several per- 
sons who fled to Boston for refuge or of such as are enemies to the Con- 
tinent—agreeable to a Resolve of the late Provincial Congress— and let 
the same to such person or persons as will give the most at a Vendue to 
be held for that purpose. 

The meeting adjourned to the first Monday in May next at one 
o'clock in the afternoon. 



404 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

In Committee Apl. 22d, 1770. 

W h e r e a s several complaints have been made to said Commit- 
tee respecting the high price which salt is sold for in this Town, in the 
store of Mr. Job King, and owned by Mr. Henry Bowers of Swanzey, 
Therefore, Voted, that Mr. Bowers be notified to attend said (Committee 
on Thursday next at two o'clock in the afternoon and give reason, if any 
he have, for asking such an exhorbitant price. 

Further Voted, that Cap. Simeon Williams secure said store and see 
that no more of said salt be taken out till further order of this C^ommit- 
tee, and if he cannot obtain the key, to nail the door. 

Thursday, Apl. 25, 1776. 

The Committee met according to adjournment from the 22nd instant. 
Mr. Bowers being present the Committee advised him to dispose of his 
salt after the rate of 4 s. 6 d. per bushel, whereupon he consented to sell 
fifty bushels and no more at that price. The meeting was then dismissed. 

May 6, 1776. Being the first Monday in said month the Committee 
met according to adjournment from the first Tuesday in April last, and 
further adjourned said meeting to 1st. Monday in June. 

Monday, May 1:1, 1776. The Committee met and voted that the Sub- 
committee which were chosen on the 2d. of April last, proceed to lease 
and let the improvement of lands and buildings which belonged to per- 
sons who are deemed enemies to the United American Colonies, agree- 
able to the several Resolves of Congress and General Court. 

The Committee then adjourned their meeting to the last Monday in 
this month at 8 o'clock in the afternoon. 

*The Committee being informed that Alexander McPherson, a pris- 
oner sent this Town from Boston by order of Council, had not behaved 
as he ought to have done; therefore, ordered that said McPherson be 
imprisoned till further order. 

The Committee of Inspection being met Aug. 19, 1770,— 
Resolved, that those persons who have taken any of the prisoners 
which were delivered to the Committee by the sheriff of the County of 
Bristol, keep said prisoners which they now have till the 1st. day of Apl. 
next and provide suitably for them in sickness and health, and keep 
their clothing in as good repair as it was in at the time when they were 
distributed, unless said prisoners are called for before that time. 

At a Town Meeting held at Taunton on Monday Mcli. 17. 1777 said 
Town made choice of 

Capt. Simeon Williams Capt. John liead, 

James Williams, Jr. Capt. Cornelius White, 

Capt. James Leonard 
*Tlicre may be a leal gone here in the manuscript. 



APPENDIX. 405 

for a Committee of Correspondence, Inspection and Safety. And at the 
adjournment of said meeting, viz. on the 14th of April following the 
Town made choice of the following persons for an addition to said Com- 
mittee, to wit: 

(reo. Godfrey, Escj., Capt. Elislia Barney, 

Mr. Nicholas Baylies, Col. Ceo. Williams, 

Benjamin Williams, Escj. 

Attest: .Tames Williams, Jr., T. Clerk. 

The major part of the before mentioned Committee met Apl. II 
1777 and made choice of Geo. Godfrey, Esq. for their Chairman and 
James Williams. Jr., for Clerk. And made choice of Capt. Simeon Wil- 
liams, James Williams, Jr., Mr. Apollas Leonard, Capt. Cornelius AVhite 
and Capt. John Read for to lease and let out the improvement of the 
Tory lands and buildings (so-called) in said town. Capt. White and 
Capt. Kead are desired to inspect the land belonging to Mr. Laughton 
and the land belonging to Laughton and Ballon, and likewise a lot of land 
belonging to Daniel Leonard situated in the South Westerly part of said 
Town. 

Capt. Barney and Mr. Leonard to inspect the Wood Land belonging 
to said Daniel Leonard and the land lately Mr. Borland's in the northerly 
part of said Town. 

The Meeting then adjourned to Monday Apl. 21. at four o'clock in 
the afternoon. 

Apl. 21. 1777. The (\)mmittee met and chose James AVilliams Jr., 
Col. Williams and Benj. Williams Esq., a Committee to repair to the 
liuid of Mr. Borland in the northerly part of said Taunton and sec what 
(piantity of wood has been cut thereon and who cut the same and make 
rei)ort. 

xMr. Apollas Leonard, Col. Williams and Capt. Read were chosen to 
lease out the house and land of Solomon Smith and a lot of land late 
William McKinstry's, uear Streets Bridge, if they fiud said premises 
come under the care of the (Committee. 

( (rdered that Munroe a Highland prisonei- ordered by the sheriff to 
the town of Dighton (now in this Town) be committed to Prison and 
that the Committee ot Dighton be acquainted thereof, and Capt. Lis- 
comb is desired to commit him. The meeting adjourned to Friday next 
at two o'clock in the afternoon. 

Friday Apl. 2.5, 1777. The Committee met. Brig. Godfrey and 
•lames Williams Jr. were appointed to draft a petition to the Council of 
the State of Massts. Bay, for a removal of the Highland Prisoners now 
in the Town to some other place. 

Mr. Isaac Dean is desired to take care of and inspect Little North 
Meailow (so called) that which is not now within fence, and to take the 
grass or hay that may grow thereon for one year. 



406 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

The CommitteL- made choice of Mr. .lolni Porter, Capt. Luscombo 
and Mr. Timothy Foster, to take cave and inspect the conduct of the 
Highhxnd Prisoners now in this Town, and if any of them shall be seen 
strolling or walking on tlie Lord's Day, any other way than directly to 
or from some house of Public Worship in said Town ; or out at any unsea- 
sonable time of night without leave from the head of the family to 
which they respectively belong, or give some satisfactory account for 
their so doing, you or any of you are desired to comit such prisoner or 
prisoners to Jail, and if any such prisoners belonging to any other town 
shall be found in this Town, at any time without leave given by some 
Committee, Sheriff or other cieditable person or giving, a satisfactory 
account thereof, you are desired to commit them to said Jail. 

Voted that George Godfrey Esq., draft and sign a Petition to tlu; 
Hon. Geo. Leonard Esq., Judge of Probate etc. for the County of Bristol, 
and in the behalf of said Committee desire him to appoint an agent or 
agents for the estate of Danl. Leonard Esq., Solomon Smith and Doc. 
VVm. McKinstry, they having left the Town of Taunton for more than 
three months, and each of them leaving an estate of more than twenty 
pounds value. 

May 2, 1777. On the petition of a numbei- of Inhabitants in the 
westerly part of said 'J'aunton respecting the sjireading of the small pox. 
Voted that a letter be sent to Mr. James Hoar and Capt. Herrick wlio 
are suspected to be assisted in carrying on inoculation. 

Col. Williams and Mr. Apollas Leonard are desired to apply to Mr. 
Henry Bowen Jr., for a quantity of Molasses he lias now in this Town, 
for the benefit of the needy inhabitants thereof. 

Then adjourned to Monday, May 5th 1777. 

Monday May .'5, 1777. The Committee tiicn met and voted that 
Three hogsheads of Molasses out of Ten and in that proportion for a 
larger or smallei- number belonging to Col. Bowers and Mr. Boylston be 
stopped and not suffered to be removed out of the stores where they arc 
now deposited in Taunton, till further order from the Committee. 

On the verbal complaint of Mr. Porter respecting the abuse he re- 
ceived from Mr. McWhorter, after hearing both parties, the Chairman 
was desired to give Mr. McWhorter a reprimand which was accordingly 
done. 

Thursday May 9th, J777. The Cumniittec! mcL It being represented to 
the Committee that several persons in this Town had signed a paper for 
protection under Lord How, the Committee thereon examined Mr. Ed- 
ward Phillips and Mr. Abijah Hodges (two of whom were suspected had 
signed said paper) both of which jiersons declared tliey had never signed 
any such thing, nor had seen none only what was published in the News- 
papers. 



APPENDIX. 407 

May 15. The Committee ordered that Mr. Seth Padelford be recom- 
mended as a suitable person for an agent to the estate of Daniel Leonard 
Esq. and that James Williams Junr. write to the Judge of Probate (in 
behalf of said Committee) for liis appointment. 

May 23. Mr. Portei', Capt. Luscombe and others comphiined of 
being abused by Joseph Tisdale. Said Tisdale being sent for and ex- 
amined, confessed that lie liad spoken unadvisedly and was sorry lie had 
treated them or the ( 'ommittee with such language. 

Then adjourned to Thursday next at 9 o'clock. 

June 2, 1777. Ordered by the Committee that Brig. Godfrey write 
to the Committee of Upton and desire them to search the papers belong- 
ing to the Highland Officers which were sent from this Town and if any 
ciicmicnl design can be discovered to acquaint this Committee. 

Ordered that Joseph Tisdale be notified to settle with JNIr. Porter 
and Capt. Liscombe, relative to his abusing them on the evening of the 
day of May last. 

Said Tisdale being called for appeared and declined iiiiiking any 
suitable acknowledgment to said Porter and Liscombe. 

The meeting adjourned to Saturday next at 2 o'clock P. M. 

:Nronday, Nov. 17, 1777, Col. Williams, Benj. AVilliams, Es(i., Capt. 
Head to lease and let to Mr. Baylies the house and land belonging to Mr. 
Laughton or M. Ballon or both of them, as the Committee see fit, and 
for such time as they may think proper. 

Same day, Voted that the Chairman petition the General Court lor 
liberty for Mr. Adam to cut and cord 150 cords of wood on land in 
Taunton foimerly Mr. Borland's. 

In Committee, Feby, 0, 1778. Col. Geo. Williams, Benj. Williams, 
Ks(i., and Capt. Simeon Williams were appointed to inspect the cutting 
iuid carrying off wood and iron ore on the land late Mr. Borland's in the 
easterly part of Taunton, the wood not to be sold for less than S shil- 
lings per cord. 

Committee of Insi)ection, Correspondence and Safety chosen at 
Taunlon, Mch. 2:kl, 1778. 

Brig. Geo. Godfrey, Mr. ApoUas Leonard, 

Benj. Williams, Esq. Capt. James Leonard, 

Capt. Simeon Williams. Capt. Cornelius White, 

James Williams, Jr., Capt. John Read, 

Mr. Nicholas Baylies, Capt. Henry Hodges, 

Capt. Elisha Barney. 
.Mch. olst, 1778. The Committee met. Chose Brig. Godfrey. Chair- 
man, James Williams. Juni.. Clerk. Committee and Select Men being 



408 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

requested to procure a number of Shirts, Slioes and Stockings for the 
Soldiers agreed to purchase 

100 pair of Shoes at 25 is $25. 

100 " Stockings at 24 is $24. 
100 Shirts at 30 each, $30. 

Bcnj. Williams, Esq., Capt. Simeon Williams and James Williams. 
Jr., was chosen a Sub-Committee to lease and let out the improvement 
of Tory Land (so called,) in Taunton. The meeting adjourned to Friday 
next at 3 o'clock P. M. 

Friday Apl. 3, 1778. The Committee met and Voted to act in prose- 
cuting Ml-. Robert Grossman for writing and signing a letter directed to 
Seth Williams at Newport, and adjourned to Tuesday next at 3 o'clock 
P. M. 

Tuesday, Apl. 7, 1778. The Committee met. Mr. Crossman present, 
was asked the following questions. 

Quest. Did you write a letter and direct it to Seth Williams of 
Newport on or about the 27th day of Mih. last? 

Answer. Yes. 

Quest. Wliat view had you in writing said letter? 

Answer. In liopes to entice liini off tlie Island for lie owed iiic a 
sum of money. 

Quest. Did you ever ask any person to carry s"d letter to K. 1.? 
Answer. No — nor did I intend to send it, for after 1 had wrote it I dis- 
liked it myself. 

Quest. What view had you by eiKiuiriiig after Gilbert and otiiers. 

Answer. Only out of curiosity? 

After which the Committee considered the matter and ordered said 
Crossman not to go out of this Town till the 24th day of April current, 
and then to appear before the Committee at this jtlace at one o'clock in 
the afternoon. 

Friday Apl. 24 177S. Then met. Mr. Grossman present, was asked 
if lie was willing to take the oath of allegiance to the State. Aiisweied 
yes. And after being reprimanded for his misconduct relative to tlie 
above mentioned letter, was dismissed. 

The Committee ordered that the shoes collected for the Soldiers of 
this Town, be deposited in the house of Benj. Williams Esq., and the 
Shirts and stockings at Brig. Godfrey's, they to deliver the same to Mr. 
Durfey who is appointed to receive the same. 

Benj. Williams Esq., Gapt. Simeon Williams and James Williams, 
Jr., to lease to said Macomber for one year the land he has within fence 
lately belonging to John Borland Esq., dec. 



APPENDIX. 



409 



APPENDIX HH. 



(Page 58.) 

The Solemn League and Covenant (as prescribed by the Prov- 
ince Laws, Vol. V, c. 21, p. 479, May i, 1776) was in these words : 

We the Subscribers, Do each of us severally for ourselves, profess 
testify and decLare before GOD and the World, that we verily believe 
that the War, Resistance and Opposition in which the United American 
Colonies are now engaojed against the Fleets and Armies of Great-Brit- 
ain, is on the part of said Colonies just and necessary. And we do here- 
by severally promise, covenant and engage, to and with every Person of 
this Colony, who has or shall subscribe this Declaration, or another of 
the same Tenor and Words, that we will not, during the said Wai-, 
directly or indirectly, in any Ways, aid, abet or assist, any of the Naval 
or Land Forces of the King of Great-Britain, or any employ'd by him; 
or supply them with any kind of Provisions, Military or Naval Stores, 
or hold any Correspondence with, or communicate any Intelligence to 
any of the Officers, Soldiers or Mariners belonging to the said Army or 
Navy, or inlist, or procure any others to inlist into the Land or Sea- 
Service of Great-Britain, or take up or bear Arms against this or either 
of the United Colonies, or under take to pilot any of the Vessels belong- 
ing to the said Navy, or in any other way aid or assist them: But on the 
contrary, according to our best Power and Abilities, will defend by Arms, 
the United American Colonies, and every Part thereof, against every 
hostile Attempt of the Fleets and Armies in the Service of Great-Britain, 
or any of them, according to the Requirements and Directions of the 
Laws of this Colony that now are, or may hereafter be provided, for the 
Regulation of the Militia thereof. 



John Godfrey 
John Thayer 
Henry Hodges, Jr. 
Abiathar Hodges 
James Hodges 
Jonathan Thayer 
Stephen Haskins Jr. 
Luther Haskins 
John Holmes 
Natiianael Briggs 
Nathanael Briggs 2d. 
Jacob Burt 
Abraham Burt 
John Hodges 
Simeon Cobb 



Aljel Burt 
Nedabiah Lincoln 
Aaron Pratt 
Ben Crossman 
Timothy Hodges 
Nehemiah Haskins Ji 
William Haskins od. 
Samuel Haskins 
Eli Haskins 
William Haskins 2d. 
Richard Cobb 
James Lincoln 
Eb'n. Cobb Jr. 
Rufus CObb 
Simeon Cobb 



James Woodward 
Daniel Briggs 
David Stacy 
Seth Hodges 
Silas An telly 
Thomas Hodges 
Morgan Cobb 
William Hodges 
Samuel Towei- 
Alexander Smitli 
Elisha Woodward 
Ichabod Leonard " 
Dan. Wilde 
George Reed 
Isaiah Reed 



4IO 



QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEURATION. 



D:ivid Hint 
Dan. Haskins 
Isaac Burt 
Ebenczer Cobb 
Levi Harlow 
James Codding- 
Aaron Knapp 
Gideon Hicks 
Moses Knap 
Edward Knap 
Abiathar Knap 
Sepharim Knap 
James Tisdale 
Daniel Short 
Henry Brant 
Natbanael Dean 
Abel Burt Jr. 



Timothy Haskins 
Pelitiah Estey 
Samuel Hayward 
Jona. Harvey 
Alpheus Haskins 
Philip Mason 
Samuel Stacey 
Job Stacey 
Job Stacey Jr. 
George Woodward 
John Briggs 
Ephraim Briggs 
Amos Stacey 
James Harvey 
Ebenezer Willis 
John Willis 
Nathan Dean 



/cpliaiiiah llodgcs 
Jonathan Barney 
Jacob Barney 
Nehimiah Dean 
Samuel Gardner 
Benjamin Williami- 
Jna. Jones 
James Leonard 
Zeph : Gary 
Seth Pollard 
Joseph Harvey 
Rufus Leonard 
Oliver Dean 
Enos Dean 
George Reed Jr. 
Levi Torrey 
Benoni Tisdale 



Among the "Godfrey Papers," now in tlie hands of Kdgai- II. 
Reed, Esq., may be fonnd copies of the action of the town meet- 
ings, as follows : 

At a Town Meeting warned & held at Taunton ou monday the 12th 
of April A. D. 1779 

Capt. John Read, 2nd, Capt. John Harvey, Messrs. William Hollo- 
way, Jolin Porter, Benjamin Dean, Phillip Dean and Benjamin Lincoln 
ye 2d, was chosen a Committee to hire for sd. town as reasonably as may 
be, the men for the Continental or State Service that the Town or Sev- 
eral Captins or Commanders of Companies, Shall be Called upon to Raise 
for ye futer: 

and Further Voted that said Committee shall be paid all ye money 
tliey shall Engage or pay for the purpose aforesaid, by a Tax to be laid 
on ye Poles and Estates of said Town, and a Reasouable Sum for said 
Committee for their Service 

A True ("opy, attest, James Williams, Junr. T. Clerk. 

At a Town Meeting warned iV- held at Taunton on yv :!()th day of 
July A. D. 1781 & continued by adjournment to ye lOth Day of August 
following. 

i';!20. Voted that ye sum ol Tlirec liundred it Twi-nty pounds in 
Lawfull Silver Money be laised by a Tax on ye Poles ct Estates of sd 
Town for ye purpose of i>rocuring l."),lli wt. ot Beef which this Town is 
called on for by the General Court as per their Resolve dated ye 22d day 
of June last. 



APPENDIX. 411 

Tlie Town then made Choice of Capt. John Read to i)rocuie tlic 
above Qnantity of Beef as Cheap as may be, & Deliver the same season- 
ably to Col. May or whoever may be appointed to Receive ye same, Sd 
Read to be accountable for ye Money he Shall Receive, — And ye assessors 
are requested to make sd Tax as soon as may be, and ye money to be 
Collected & paid to ye Town Treasurer for ye above purpose. 

Attest:— James Williams, T. Clerk. 



APPENDIX 11. 

(Pnge 59.) 

The events referred to look place in the following order: 

Taunton's Flaj^ Unfurled, October 1774. 

Patiick Henry's Speech, March 23,1775. 

Battle of Lexington, April 19, 1775. 

Putnam's departure from Connnecticut, April 20, 1775. 

Capture of Ticonderoga, May 10, 1775. 

Washington took command of the Army, July o, 1775. 

Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776. 

Capt. James Williams' Company, which marched so promptly 
to Roxbury the next night after the Battle of Lexington, April 
19-20, 1775, has been already given. 

Another Company was organized in Taunton for Col. Joseph 
Reed's Regiment, 1775, the year preceding the " Declaration" as 
follows: 

Oliver Soper, Captain; Simeon Cobb, lieutenant; Thomas Williams, 
ensign; Ephraim Crossman, George Woodward, John Richmond, Rufus 
IJarncy, sergeants; Job Haskins, William Williams, Jonathan Barney, 
corporals; Joel Drake, fifer; Simeon Crossman, drummer; Ephraim 
Briggs, Prince Caswell, Richard Caswell, James Cobb, Simeon Cobb, 
James Coggeshall, Robert Davis, Gideon Dean, Asa Bliss, And. Godfrey, 
Thomas Graves, Jacob Iloskins, Joel Harvey, Elk. Hodges, James 
Hodges, John Hodges, Samuel Hoskins, Timothy Hoskins, Rufus Har- 
ney, Elijah Leonard, Sylvester Leonard, Nedediah Lincoln, Benjamin 
Leonard, David Lincoln, Ichabor Macomber, Seth Pollard, Nathaniel 
Potter, Jacob Phillips, Josiah Reed, Seth Richmond, Increase Robinson, 
Abel Stacey, John Smith, Israel Smith, George Tisdale, Zadoc Thrasher, 



4l2 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

Perez Thrasher, Thomas White, Isaac Washburn, Silas Willis, Benjamin 
Woodward, Nathaniel AVoodward, Seth Woodward, Jonathan Williams, 
Nathan Wetherell, Benjamin Richmond, Benoni Tisdale, privates: Ser- 
ved April 24th, May 2d to August 1st; averaged £'4 lis. 6d. Total 
£323 4s. 4d. 

The roll of C'apt. Jacob Haskins' ("onipany raised in 1778 for 
one year was as follows : 

Captain, Jacob Haskins of Taunton; Lieutenants, Noah Pratt, Jacob 
French, Matthias McForman, Jonathan Fletcher; Sergeants, Aaron Tur- 
ner, John Lawrence, Jessie Ellis. Peter Smith, Benjamin Fuller, Elijah 
Fuller; Corporals, Jonas Humphrey, Daniel Chickering, Parker Earle, 
Increase Pond, Samuel Cushing, Daniel Cook; Privates, John Smith. 
Christopher Smith, Asa Holbrook, Zach. Bimbo, Samuel Williams, 
Enoch Darling, Jeremiah Crocker, William Fuller, Joseph , 

Titus Metcalf, Joel Cleveland, Warrick Greene, Luther Bullard, Abra- 
ham Crowley, Isaac Daggett, William Horton, Lemuel Herrin, Silas 
Morse, William Seaver, Ellis Whiting, Mose Daggett. Michael Clark, 
Benjamin , Ephraim Jackson, Samuel Hammond, Thaddeus 

Stowell, Oliver Guild, Isaac Brown, Nathaniel Draper, John Dewee. 

His subsequent company raised in 1779 to serve from Mar. 
13 to April 15th, contained the following names : 

Captain. Jacob Haskins of Taunton; Lieutenant. Abiel Maoomber; 
Sergeants, Seth Paull, Nathaniel Snell, Perez Diake, John McSouth, 
Joshua Staple; Corporals, Nathaniel Dean. Edward Dean, Philip Dean» 
Isaac Hall; drummer, Abiel Hayward; fifer, Ebenezer Smith; Privates, 
John Burt, Elijah Briggs, George Darby, Abraham Dean, Zebedec 
Hackett, Joseph Hall, Solomon McSouth, .John Phillips, Abel Pain, 
David Padelford, Elijah Richmond, Elkanah Smith, Laban Smith, 
James Williams Jr., Abiel Dean, Nathan Hall, Nehemiah Leonard, Eie- 
zer Wilbur, Israel Jones, Zadoc Turner. Elisha Garey, Nathaniel Hall. 
John Bolton, Peleg Osborn, James Gilmore, John Shaw, Lemuel 
Briggs. 



.APPENDIX JJ. 

|rnp,c lU.] 

One of the receipts of those days reads as follows 



APPENDIX. 413 

" Taunton, April 2d, 17S1. Rec'd. of the Widow Elizabeth Macom- 
ber, Administratrix on the estate of Jno. Maconibei-, late of Taunton 
"disseased," by the Hand of Henry Hodj^es Twenty Two Spanish milled 
Dollars, also Four Hundred & Fifty paper Dollars in the old Emission in 
in the Lew of six silver Dollars; also Five Hundred & Twenty Five Dol- 
lars in the old Emission in the Lew of seven silver Dollars, which being 
in full of all accounts, 

per Me— Job Godfrey." 

And a eharno on the books of one of the traders of the day reads 
thus: 

''John Mcriierson Dr. to R. Caldwell. 
1780. i" s. 

May To 6 weeks' board 318 4 
July To sundries for 

liquors, 18 

Sept.'l, To 6 weeks board 

to this date, ;llo 4 

To Sundries to date 15 

" 4 glasses liquor 3 12 



054 18 
On the credit side is 3 feet of wood J5i 

1 peck of corn 3£ 15 s. 

The full account of the demonstrations in Taunton, by the 
insurgents in the Shay's rebellion, may be found in a printed 
eulogy on Gen. Cobb, by the Hon. Francis Baylies, delivered be- 
fore the Taunton Lyceum in June, 1830. 

The transactions at the September term of the Court of 
Common Pleas were thus reported by Gen. Cobb to the Governor: 

Tauntox, September 13th, 1786. 
Sir: I have the honor of informing your Excellency that the Court 
of Common Pleas and General Sessions of the Peace sett yesterday at 
the Court House in this town. The detachments of militia from the 
Brigades of Plymouth and Bristol which had been ordered out agree- 
ably to your Excellency's directions of the 2d inst., and at the request 
of the sheriff of this county, had arrived at this place previous to the re- 
ceipt of your Excellency's letter of the 11th directed to Mr. Sheriff 
Leonard. As the militia were here and in possession of the Court 
House, and happily in numbers sufficient to support the civil authority 
in the execution of duty, and as very, large numbers of people were as- 
sembled, many of whom were in arms, and all determined wickedly to 



414 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

oppose the autliority of the <roveinment, it was thouglit prudent and 
necessary by the sheriff and court that the troops should continue to 
protect tliera in their present session. But as general clamor and dis- 
content has pervaded this part of the commonwealth, and as the court 
was now convened at the time and place appointed by law, in which tlie 
honor and dignity of government was completely supported, they con- 
ceived it to be their duty to have some regard to the alarming disturb- 
ances of the present day and accordingly adjourned the business of this 
session to the 2d Tuesday of December next. This measure, I am sure, 
gives great satisfaction to the friends as well as the enemies of govern- 
ment here, and I hope will meet your Excellency's approbation. The 
mob shouted "a generous concession on the part of authority," and the 
militia retired in great order with the thanks of government for their 
generous firmness on this occasion. I have the honor to be with great 
esteem and respect, your Excellency's most obedient servant. 

DAVID COBB. 

His Excellency Governor Bowdoin. 

The tradition among the members of the Cobb family, still 
living, is that on the morning of Sept. 13, 1786, the mob assem- 
bled in front of the Court House with guns, clubs, &:c., and when 
noisy and clamorous for the adjournment of the Court, Gen. Cobb 
addressed them in these words: "Away with your whining, and 
disperse." Not heeding his admonition Gen. Cobb left the Court 
House and went to his brother Jonathan's house, where his regi- 
mentals were kept, and having put them on, ordered his horse 
brought to the door, and as he passed out to mount, his brother 

Jonathan said, "David, what in are you going to do with your 

regimentals?" "I expect trouble," said he, "with that Shay's 
crowd, and am determined to sit as a Judge, or die as a General." 
He then sent his wife and children into the cellar for protection 
from the mob, mounted his horse and rode out to what he expected 
might be a bloody conflict. 

Gen. Cobb's account of the atfair at the October term of the 
Supreme Court may be found in another letter to Gov. Bowdoin, 
as follows : 

Taunton, Oct. 30, 17S«. 
Sir:— As the Hon. Supreme Court returned immediately from this 
town to Boston, Your Excellency must have been informed of the suc- 
cessful protection that government received here from the militia of this 



APPENDIX. 415 

division. Tliis informiition with disbanding the troops and other conse- 
quent attention will, I hope, pardon my omission of any earlier commu- 
nication. 

On Sunday evenino- precedinj;' the sitting of the court, I took posses- 
sion of the court house and the piece of artillery here with a small com- 
pany of volunteers of this town. On Monday morning this company 
was greatly increased in number, and in the afternoon of the same day, 
were reinforced by the two full companies of militia from the faithful 
town of Raynham and a small company of volunteers from Rehoboth. 

Lieut.-Col. Orr, with a detachrnent from the 3rd Regiment of the 
Plymouth Brigade, arrived in the evening at the meeting house in this 
town. This body by the active and spirited exertions of the comman- 
der came to my assistance much sooner than was expected. 

The leaders of the insurgents, during the day, were traversing the 
county to collect their force and frequently threatening that througli 
slaughter they would possess themselves of the court house this night. 
This gave me no uneasiness as I was secure of my numbers and knew 
theirs to be trifling. But during the night and on Tuesday morning a 
report prevailed that a large number were coming from the county of 
Worcester to join the disaffected here. As it was possible this report 
might be true, 1 thought it prudent to call on three companies of the 
adjoining militia to re-enforce by Wednesday morning. This day the 
insurgents collected their force and took up a rendezvous within a mile 
and a half of this place, but finding their numbers insufficient for an 
attack they dispersed at sunset with orders to assemble at the same 
place on the following morning. Their leaders in the course of the night 
were to ransack all parts of the county so as to collect every possible 
addition to their force. Their numbers at this time were ninety-eight 
in arms and forty-three without. 

On Wednesday forenoon those companies of militia that had been 
ordered the preceding day, joined me; these with what were on the 
ground before made the government troops 375, rank and file. 

About 10 o'clock, being informed that the insurgents were on their 
march, I ordered the following disposition of troops, viz. 

Lieut.-Colonel Orr with part of his detachment on the right — the 
two companies from Raynham on the left, — the Field piece with its 
company of volunteers in the centre, — composed the front line. The re- 
mainder of Col. Orr's detachment with the Rehoboth troops and two 
companies of militia formed the rear line. The other company of militia 
was posted at the door of the court house. Soon after this order was 
completed the insugrents came on the Green with military parade, and 
with more insolence than force formed their line directly in front of 
mine, and not more than thirty yards distant. Their numbers were one 
hundred forty-eight in arms, including officers, and thirty-four without 



4l6 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

arms. The fear aud rage with wliich they liad akirined the county for some 
days past, appeared to have vanished, and the sight of government in 
force made them as peaceable a set of rioters as ever with so much im- 
pudence advanced so near their enemy. 

They continued in the same situation ahnost three hours, and after 
presenting a petition to the Supreme Court and receiving their answer, 
tliey retired in the same manner they came on. Their commander wish- 
ing me a good night, as lie went off the field, and promised to return the 
next day with petitions that would be more agreeable to the Honorable 
Court, but before they had marched a mile, he dismissed them from any 
further service. 

Although the insurgents were dispersed yet I conceived it necessary 
to continue the troops during the morning session of the court, and 
accordingly they were not discharged until Friday noon. 

The behavior of both ofJEicers and men during their continuance here, 
would have done honor to much older troops. They retired from the 
town without the least injury to persons or property. Some of the 
militia that were called upon on this occasion, turned out with alacrity 
and spirit, — but the exertions of the little town of Raynham deserves 
every praise from government. 

These proceedings will, I hope, meet the approbation of your excel- 
lency and the Honorable General Assembly. I have the honor to be 
with great esteem and respect, your excellency's most humble servant, 

David Cobb. 
To His Excellency Governor Bowdoin. 

The following extracts from the newspapers of that period, 
throw some Ught upon the occurrences at Taunton, alluded to in 
the Address : 

[Mass. Gazette, Oct. 27. ITfSli,] 

Order, on the probability of attempts being made to stoi) the sitting 
of the Supreme Judicial Court at Taunton. 

On Saturday an order passed appointing a committet' of both Houses, 
to wait on the Governor, to inform liini, that information having been 
given, that there was a degree of probability, that some attempts 
might be made to prevent the sitting of the Supreme Judicial Court in 
Taunton on the next Tuesday, although the Legislature entertained full 
confidence that his Excellency exercise that authority on this occasion, 
with which the constitution had vested him, yet that they could not 
forbear expressing their desire, that he would immediately give the most 
serious attention to the subject. 

On Monday, his Excellency sent a message to both Houses, acquaint- 
ing them of his proceedings upt)n this subject, which gave rise to an- 



APPENDIX. 417 

other committee of both Houses who were instructed to thank his Excel- 
lency for the intelligence he had been pleased to communicate to the 
Court, respecting- the measures he had taken to support the Supreme Ju- 
dicial Court, at their session in the County of Bristol ; and to assure his 
Excellency, that the General Court, in the earliest part of their session, 
did bear their faithful testimony against the late outrageous proceedings 
in several counties within this Commonwealth; and did express their 
high satisfaction in the measures which his Excellency had taken to sup- 
press the same, and their firm resolution to support the constitutional 
authority of the government ; and at the same time enquire into and re- 
dress all real grievances; and did also resolve, that compensation should 
be made to such officers and soldiers of the militia as appeared in pur- 
suance of his Excellency's order for the purpose above mentioned, and 
that like compensation should be made for such of the said officers and 
soldiers as might hereafter be called forth upon similar occasions. And 
the said committee were further instructed to assure his Excellency, 
that the General Court would always, on such and other occasions, afford 
the Supreme Executive, all that aid which should be incumbent on them, 
in their own department, fully confiding that his Excellency would still 
persevere in the exercise of such powers as were vested in him by our 
excellent constitution, for enforcing due obedience to the authority and 
laws of government, and for preventing any attempts to interrupt the 
administration of law and justice for the future, upon which the peace 
and safety of the Commonwealth, in the opinion of the Court, immedi- 
ately depended. And the committee were further instructed to acquaint 
his Excellency, that it was the earnest desire of the General Court, that 
immediate measures might be taken for the support of the Supreme 
Judicial Covirt to be holden by law within the county of Middlesex the 
ensuing week. 

[The Centinel, Oct. 28, 1786.] 
A gentleman from Taunton acquaints us, that the Supreme Judicial 
Court opened at that place on Tuesday last, without molestation;— Gen. 
Cobb, having previously posted near the Court House about 800 militia, 
for their protection; — That "the mob" (as says the gentleman, the in- 
surgents are called in every place he came through) amounting to about 
l:]0 armed with muskets, and about 50 with sticks, assembled on Tues- 
day, and on Wednesday marched over to the Green near the Court 
House. Gen. Cobb had his men drawn up to receive them, with a field 
piece in front, and a corps de reserve at a distance in the rear, and might, 
as he assured our informant, have made the whole body his prisoners: but 
they not appearing solicitous for coercive measures, were permitted to 
stay on the Green, during which time, a David Valentine, of Freetown, 
drew up, signed and presented to the Court, in "behalf of the County,"" 
as he expressed it, a memorial, reiiuesting that all civil actions might be 



4l8 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

continued to tlie next term and several otlier matters wliicli fully desig- 
nated his ignorance and folly, but his Honor the Chief Judge, question- 
ing him, on the propriety of his appearing " in behalf of the county," 
when the county had sent a Grand Jury, and two full Petit Juries to try 
cases, he thought it advisable to decamp from the Court House and re- 
join his party, who on hearing his story, returned to their several homes, 
lamenting their gullibility, and convinced of the folly of their enter- 
prise. 

[Mass. Gazette, Nov. 17, 1786.] 

Boston, Nov. 17, 1780. 

The following paragraph contains particulars of the transactions at 
Taunton, during the late sessions of the Supreme Judicial Court, at that 
place, which we have not yet published. 

On Sunday, previous to the sitting of the Supreme Judicial Court at 
Taunton, Gen. Cobb received information that the mob intended oppo- 
sition. In conseqvience of this, the night following, he directed fifteen 
or twenty men to take possession of the Court House, and secure the 
field piece. Also, called upon the same militia, who had so effectually 
supported the Court of Common Pleas, to make their appearance once 
more on the present occasion. They arrived in season, and consisted of 
two or three companies from Bridgewater, under the command of Col. 
Orr;two companies from Piaynham — a town celebrated for its unani- 
mous attachment to government, led on by their Captains Hall and 
Washburn; — a spirited Volunteer company from Rehoboth, headed by 
Lieutenants Peake and Carpenter; — and a Volunteer Company from 
Taunton, under Captain Williams. The mob assembled on Tuesday, but 
under such apprehension, they did not choose to approach nearer than a 
mile and a half of the scene of action. Pearse, one of their leaders re- 
turned in the evening, advising the rest before he withdrew to disperse; 
telling them he had been deceived relative to the disposition of the county, 
and if they persisted, it would certainly terminate in disgrace. How- 
ever, a David Valentine, who pretended to the principal command, had 
influence enough to prevent this; and sent into every town of the county, 
and other towns adjacent, for a reinforcement. On Wednesday about 
two o'clock in the afternoon, they ventured to show themselves on the 
green, in front of the militia, under the command of Valentine. Their 
numbers were 144 armed, and about .JC) unarmed. The militia at this 
time were reinforced by a large company from the south of Taunton, 
under Capt. Townsend, and two companies from Digliton, under Cap- 
tains Walker and Talbot. The mob appeared to have an inclination to 
march into the rear of the militia ; but the bayonets which were ready 
to receive them, and charging the field piece in their sight, soon brought 
them to their senses ; and they retreated to a proper distance. They had 



APPENDIX. 419 

foolishly imagined that some of the militia would join them; bnt instead 
of that, some of their own party withdrew and went over to the militia. 
Valentine then asked permission to wait on the Court, which was 
granted. He then presented a petition, signed only by himself, in be- 
half of the county of Bristol, that all civil actions might be continued to 
the next term. He no sooner presented this, than he was seized with a 
panic, and discovered an inclination to withdraw without an answer. 
But his Honor, the Chief Justice, called after him, stop man, with an au- 
thority that occasioned his instant return. He was then reprimanded 
for his folly and presumption, in such a manner, that he has since con- 
fessed he shrunk Into nothing, and seeined to himself dropping through the 
Hoor of the Court House, which would have been a relief to him had it taken 
place. 

He after this joined his party, and sometime in the evening they all 
dispersed, and were heard of no more. The militia were not dismissed 
until Friday in the afternoon, when the business of the Court was over. 
Tliey justly derived to themselves great honor and applause for their 
order, regularity and firmness. They one and all acted from principle — 
from a thorough conviction that they were securing the good and happi- 
ness of their country : — and licld the niol) in such detestation, that they 
solemnly declared, if tlic national vengeance slumbered on, and did not 
reach them in a constitutional way, they themselves would execute it, 
and in that complete and' exemplary manner, that very few hereafter in 
the county of Bristol would be disposed to disturb the common peace, 
and thus daringly insult the majesty of the peojile. 

[The Centinel, Dec. 2:!, 1780.] 

We have the pleasure of informing our readers, that the spirit of op- 
position to government, in the county of Bristol, has very much abated 
— The Court of Sessions set there the IDtli inst, without any opposition. 
The vast quantity of snow on the ground, prevented two of the Justices 
of the Common Pleas from attending — the other two, who were present, 
adjourned the Court by Proclamation. 

It is a common remark, that the people in that county were never 
known to be so industrious in agriculture as they have been the last sum- 
mer — they had a very fine season for everything but cider — their store- 
houses are consequently well filled — their cider barrels empty. They are 
now busily engaged in nail making — no less than 300 are said to be 
daily employed in that business in the town of Taunton, besides nearly 
as many more in preparing the coal and rods — They in general support 
their families from week to week by their labor; their earnings in the 
summer are consequently saved for the payment of their debts or in- 
crease of their estates — Would the three western counties engage in some 
similar employment, they would soon be contented at home, and be 
happy under the present government — In a country like this, with the 
constitution and laws of Massachusetts, an honest, industrious people 
will never be poor, discontented or rebellious. 



420 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

APPENDIX KK. 

[Pao-e C8.] 

The manufacturing interests of Taunton, at the beginning of 
this century appear in the following objections to a bridge being 
built across Taunton Great River below the Weir bridge, drawn 
up by Taunton people for the Legislature of 1800-1 : 

" First. There are sixteen coasting vessels owned and employed 
above the place where the said bridge is intended to be built, drawing 
from six to seven and a half feet of water, ten of which pass and repass 
to Providence, Bedford, etc., twenty-five times each year at least; the 
other six pass and repass to and from New York, Philadelphia, Connect- 
icut, Nevs^ Jersey, etc. at least eight times each a year, freighted wholly 
with the manufactures of Taunton and the neighboring towns about, 
and generally bringing back raw materials and grain, making in the 
whole five hundred and ninety-six times the said vessels will have to 
pass said bridge in a year, being a damage to the voyages of the smaller 
vessels of at least twelve shillings, and of the larger vessels of at least 
twenty-four shillings each time they have to pass said bridge, amount- 
ing to four hundred and five pounds four shillings a year. 

Secondly. As thei-e are three difficult, rocky and dangerous places 
to pass above and below the place said bridge is to stand, unless at slack 
water, by reason of the rapidity of the current, from five to fifteen min- 
utes detention would render it unsafe attempting to pass said places, by 
which detention they would frequently lose a fair wind, and be de- 
tained several days; besides, the said vessels now pass up and down at 
all times of the night, which they could not do if said bridge is built, to 
their great damage. There are also frequently vessels passing up and 
down that are not owned in the river. 

Thirdly. That there are at least three millions of bricks made in 
Taunton a year, nearly all of them transported down said river, 
which business gives employment to a large number of men and teams, 
and which must be stopped if there is any additional expense in getting 
the bricks to market. 

Fourthly. That there are manufactured in Taunton and vicinity 
eight hundred tons of iron-ware at least, the furnaces at which it is 
made depending in a great measure upon ore freighted up Taunton 
River, and that there are seven hundred tons of bar-iron slit and rolled 
in Taunton and made into nails, shovels, etc.. giving employment to a 
large number of men. the greater part of said manufactures being car- 
ried down said river, the vessels engaged in the business bringing back 
corn and provisions to supply the workmen employed, and we believe 



APPENDIX. 



421 



that if there is any further obstruction to the navigation of said river 
the said business will eventually be destroyed. 

Fifthly. We believe that a bridge across said river will be of no 
considerable advantage to the public, as there is no considerable place 
of business on the river below Taunton, and but very few people cross 
the ferries, at one of which not a mile below where it is intended to 
build said bridge, does not bring into the ferryman more than six or 
seven younds a year, and the other ferry, about two miles below where 
the said bridge is intended to be built, does not more than pay the ex- 
pense of boat and tender." 



APPENDIX LL. 



[Page 71.] 



The following tables show the population and valuation of 
Taunton at various periods, from 1775 to 1889 : 





A. D. Population. 


A. D. Valuation. 


Colonial Census, 


1775— 2,735 


1784— £3743-14s. 




177(3- 3,259 


1791— £5433-5s. 5d. 




f 1790— 3,804 


1801— $26,069 




1 1800— 3,860 


1811— 29,598 




1 1810— 3,907 


1821— 42,326 


U. y. Census, 


i 1820— 4,520 


1831— 1,450,323 




1 1830— 6,042 


1841— 2,200,401 




1 1840— 7,645 


1851— 3.701,472 




[ 1850—10,441 


1861— 7,937,007 


State Census, 


1855—13,750 


1870-15,002,099 


U. S. " 


1860—15,376 


1880—15,218,848 


State " 


1865—16,005 


1887—17,291,740 


U. s. '• 


1870—18,629 


1889— About $19,000,000, includ- 


State 


1875—20,445 


ing the property taxed 


u. s. •' 


1S80— 21,213 


by the State. 


State " 


1885—23,674 




Estimated 


1889—25,000 to 30,000 





ERRATA. 



Page 39, line four from top, strike out i after clays, and sub- 
stitute I for 2 in line seven. 

Page 39, line thirteen from top, add 2 after the words "might 
coake him " 

Page 70, line eighteen from top, strike out after vastness, the 
words, "the product of" and in next line insert "our city's" after 
the word hum. 

Page 140, line seven from bottom, read keeps for lets. 

Page 233, Appendix A for Walluspaquin read Wattuspaquin. 

Page 259, line fourteen from bottom, for "1669" read "1689." 

Page 263, line twelve from top, strike out "of" before "other." 

Page 287, line two from top, for 1618 read 1681. 

Page 324, for John Winthrope read John Winthorpe, 

Page 399, line six from top, for Elisha Banney read Elisha 
Barney. 



NOTE BY THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLICATION. 



The variation in the spelling of names in different parts of 
this book may call for a word of explanation. The names of Pole 
and Hook, for example, in the 17th century are Poole and Hooke 
in later times. The same variation appears in many other names. 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



Opp 



Upp. 



Taunton Gkekn, 1786, Frontispiece 

Taunton Gkkkn, 1881), Opp 

Neck of Land, A Business Centre in the Olden Time, j 

Old Anchor Fokge, Site of First Iron Works, ) 

MoKTON Hosi'iTAL, fomier residence of (Jov. Morton, i 

City Hall, ) 

Procession passing- tlirougli Main street, Opp. 

Digiiton Rock, First approach of Civilization, ) 

[ Opp. 
Coiiannkt, Tlie Land of Snow, ) 

Elizabeth Poole making her Purchase, t 

(As represented on the City Seal.) ' ( )i )i ». 

Capt. Church at Anawan's Rock, ) 



Model of Lkonaisd House, in Raynliain, ) 

Puritan Parson, Leader of his people, ) 

Church of the First Congregationaj, Society,. . ^ 

HlSTOItlCAL Hai^l, ) 

Ancient Leonard Mansion, "House of seven (iabics,-. . ■ J 
Old Gamrrel Roofed Hoi'se, ) 

(Opposite the Ancient Iron Works.) 



Op 



Opp. 



Opp. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



Page. 

Prefatory Notice of the Committee of City Government o 

Committees of City Government, 1S86-S9, 4 

City Government, 1889, 5 

Note of Committee on Publication, '. 6 

Introductory Notice, 7-14 

Officers of the Day and Joint General Committee, 15 

Sub-Committees, 10-2y 

Proceedings in Music Hall : 

Scripture Reading and Prayer by Rev. S. Hopkins Emery, 25-27 

Address by Hon. Richard Henry Hall, 27-2U 

Historical Address by Hon. Edmund H. Bennett, 29-77 

Poem by Henry W. Colby, Esq 77-94 

Benediction by Rev. Charles H. Learoyd, 94 

The Banquet in Agricultural Hall : 

Invocation by Rev. .John P. Forbes, 95 

Introductory Address by Mayor Hall, 96 

First Sentiment of Judge Fox, the Toastmastcr, 96 

Letters from President Harrison and Vice-President Morton, . . 97-98 

Address of Governor Oliver Ames, 98-99 

Address of Chief Justice Marcus Morton, 100-102 

Address of Rev. Dr.. Henry M. Dexter, 103-108 



426 QUARTER MILLENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

Address of Rev. Dr. George E. Ellis, lOS-110 

Letter from the Mayor of Taunton, England, 110-111 

Address of Hon. .losiali H. Drummond, 112-117 

Address of Hon. Robert Treat Paine, 117-120 

Address of Hon. Edmund H. Bennett, 121 

Poem by Miss Mary E. N. Hatheway, 121-122 

Addi'ess of Rev. S. Hopkins Emery 123-125 

Address of Hon. William W. Crapo, 125-127 

Address of Capt. George A. Washburn, 128-131 

Address of Hon. William E. Fuller, 131-133 

Address of Hon. Hugh O'Brien, 134-135 

Address of Hon. William Reed, Jr. , 13.5-13G 

Address of Hon. H. W. Ladd, Governor of Rhode Island, 130-137 

Address of Hon. Elijah A. Morse, 137-130 

Address of George A. Shove, Esii., 139-142 

Festival Ode, by Mrs. E. S. Deane, / 144-145 

Music by Mr. George W. Dean, ) ' 

Anniversary Hymn, by Mrs. E. S. Deane, \ 14G-150 
Music by Mrs. Annie M. (Soule) Lewis, ( 

Invited Guests of the City, 151-153 

Letters from invited guests, 154-lGG 

Correspondence with Taunton, England, 166-172 

Reception and Ball, 173-175 

The Grand Procession, on the second day, , 176-188 

Donation and Loan Exhibition in Historical Hall, 180-222 

Memorial Tablets, 223-232 

Appendix, 233-421 



VV' 



